Dynamic Clamping Assembly for Surgical End Effectors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical stapling systems face challenges in efficiently articulating and closing jaws to accommodate larger tissue volumes and in maintaining sterility due to debris and fluid infiltration, which can lead to malfunctions and reduced reusability of adapters.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a dynamic clamping assembly with improved wear characteristics and positive channel opening features, allowing for enhanced jaw aperture and closure mechanisms without springs, along with seal arrangements to prevent fluid ingress and facilitate easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional surgical stapling systems use traditional jaw closure mechanisms, then the structure is simpler, but the jaw aperture range is limited and cannot accommodate larger tissue volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic clamping assembly where the anvil can pivot relative to the cartridge between different positions. The anvil is configured to pivot about a first axis when the drive member is in the first position, and about a second axis when the drive member is in the second position. This dynamic reconfiguration of the jaw mechanism allows for increased aperture range to accommodate larger tissue volumes while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure.
2Reliability
If conventional systems lack seal arrangements, then the structure is simpler, but debris and fluid infiltration causes malfunctions and reduces reusability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates seal arrangements including seals positioned between the anvil and cartridge, and seals located in the adapter interface. These flexible sealing elements prevent debris and fluid infiltration into critical mechanical interfaces, thereby maintaining adapter functionality and enabling reusability. The seals are integrated into the overall structure without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If conventional jaw mechanisms use springs for closure, then the mechanism is simpler, but wear characteristics are poor and articulation efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional spring-based closure mechanisms from the jaw system and replaces them with a drive member that directly actuates the anvil through cam surfaces and engagement features. The drive member is selectively movable between positions and directly controls the articulation of the anvil relative to the cartridge, eliminating the need for intermediate spring mechanisms and improving both wear characteristics and articulation efficiency.
4Volume of moving object
If the jaw aperture range is increased to accommodate larger tissue volumes, then more tissue can be handled, but the mechanism becomes more complex and harder to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates cam surfaces and engagement features that provide mechanical feedback during jaw articulation. The drive member interacts with cam surfaces on the anvil and cartridge, creating natural stopping points and controlled motion paths. This feedback mechanism ensures precise control over the jaw aperture range while accommodating larger tissue volumes, preventing over-travel and ensuring proper alignment during operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables more efficient tissue handling, improved jaw opening angles for easier tissue placement and removal, and maintains adapter functionality by preventing debris and fluid ingress, thus enhancing the reliability and reusability of surgical stapling systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first closure cam surface and a second closure cam surface. The anvil assembly is movable relative to the cartridge assembly between open and closed positions in response to movement of the dynamic clamping assembly
Implementation Method 2
seal arrangements to prevent fluid ingress and facilitate easy cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector for use with a surgical instrument. The end effector includes first and second jaws that are pivotally coupled to each other for pivotal travel about a pivot axis between open and closed positions by a dynamic clamping assembly that is selectively movable between a starting position and an ending position relative to the first and second jaws. At least a portion of the dynamic clamping assembly extends proximally beyond the pivot axis when in the starting position to facilitate improved jaw apertures.