Latching Mechanism for Electrosurgical Device Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgeons experience fatigue due to the high force required to maintain the clamping handle in a partially closed position during electrosurgical procedures, and there is a need to reduce the additional force needed to fully close the clamping handle before activating the electrosurgical device, which affects the accuracy and efficiency of tissue sealing.
Innovation Solution
The surgical device incorporates a segmented gear mechanism and actuation links that allow the movable handle to transition between unactuated, first actuated, and second actuated positions, maintaining the end effector in a closed configuration with reduced force requirements by decoupling the handle from the end effector between these positions, utilizing a biasing member to maintain the necessary closure pressure for effective tissue sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the clamping handle is maintained in a partially closed position to verify jaw position and pressure, then the surgeon can verify the position of the jaws and pressure applied to the tissue, but the surgeon experiences fatigue due to the high force required to maintain this position
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is divided into distinct phases: a first actuated position for partial closure and verification, and a second actuated position for full closure and activation. The segmented gear mechanism allows the handle to be held in the first actuated position with reduced force, enabling verification without sustained high force application, thus reducing surgeon fatigue while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static high-force holding position to a dynamic multi-position actuation sequence. The movable handle can be positioned at multiple discrete positions (unactuated, first actuated, second actuated), allowing the surgeon to verify parameters at the first actuated position with reduced force, then proceed to full actuation when ready, eliminating the need to maintain high force continuously.
2Reliability
If additional force is applied to fully close the clamping handle before activation, then the electrosurgical device can be activated, but the additional force required increases the overall force burden on the surgeon
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism segments the closing motion into two distinct phases: first actuated position for partial closure and verification, and second actuated position for full closure and activation. The segmented gear mechanism reduces the force required to maintain the first actuated position, and the mechanical linkage automatically provides the additional force needed for full closure during the transition to the second position, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually apply additional force.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism is designed to automatically provide the necessary force for full closure through its mechanical linkage and spring-loaded components. When the surgeon releases the handle from the first actuated position, the mechanical system self-actuates to reach the second actuated position with appropriate force, eliminating the need for the surgeon to manually apply additional force for full closure.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device includes a housing, an elongated shaft, an end effector, and an actuation mechanism. The housing pivotally supports a movable handle between unactuated, first actuated, and a second actuated positions. The elongated shaft extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The end effector has a pair of opposed jaw members that are movable between an open configuration in which the jaw members are spaced apart from one another and a closed configuration in which the jaw members are closer together. The actuation mechanism is configured to transition the end effector between the open and closed configurations as the movable handle is pivoted between the unactuated and first actuated positions and to maintain the end effector in the closed configuration when the moveable handle is between the first and second actuated positions.