Electrosurgical Jaw Closure Spring Tangential Force Vector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices lack an efficient mechanism for consistently applying force to jaw closure mechanisms, particularly when dealing with varying tissue thickness, which can lead to inadequate grasping and cutting performance.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument employs a closure spring with a tangential force vector and a toggle pin mechanism that adjusts the force applied to the jaw closure actuator, allowing for a consistent force application across different tissue thicknesses through a toggle pin channel with an offset angle, enabling effective grasping and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional closure mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but the force application to jaw closure is inconsistent across varying tissue thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing a toggle pin that moves along a curved path, changing the geometric parameters of the force transmission mechanism. This allows the force vector and mechanical advantage to vary dynamically during jaw closure, ensuring consistent force application across different tissue thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism incorporates dynamic elements through the movable toggle pin that transitions between different positions in the curved path. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt its mechanical properties during operation, providing consistent force application regardless of tissue thickness variations without requiring a completely complex mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed force mechanism is used, then the device structure is simple, but the grasping performance varies with tissue thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle pin mechanism changes the operational parameters of the force transmission system by moving along a curved path. This allows the mechanical advantage and force direction to be dynamically adjusted during jaw closure, ensuring optimal grasping performance across varying tissue thicknesses while keeping the force adjustment mechanism relatively simple.
3Reliability
If a complex force adjustment mechanism is used, then consistent force application is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes through the curved path of the toggle pin to achieve consistent cutting performance. By varying the geometric parameters of the force transmission mechanism during operation, the system ensures reliable force application for cutting across different tissue thicknesses while avoiding the need for a substantially more complex overall device structure.
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 ensures consistent force application to the jaws, effectively grasping and cutting through both thin and thick tissues, enhancing the instrument's versatility and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a closure spring configured to apply a force to the closure actuator at the first pivot, wherein the closure spring is compressed in response to movement of the closure trigger
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises a handle assembly having a closure trigger, a closure actuator coupled to the closure trigger at a first pivot, and a closure spring. The closure actuator moves proximally on a longitudinal axis in response to actuation of the closure trigger. The closure spring applies a force vector to the closure spring tangential to the longitudinal axis. A shaft assembly is coupled to the handle assembly. An end effector is coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member. The first jaw member is pivotally moveable with respect to the second jaw member. At least one of the first and second jaw members are operatively coupled to the closure actuator.