Endoscopic Jaw Articulation via Camming Assembly
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgical stapling devices lack advanced articulation mechanisms that allow for precise manipulation in confined spaces, limiting their effectiveness in laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a jaw assembly and pivoting linkage featuring a distal joint member and proximal joint member, coupled with a camming assembly that enables the jaw assembly to pivot relative to the proximal joint member about a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axes, along with a flexible shaft and rigid shaft configuration for articulation, allowing for enhanced manipulation and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a simple rigid shaft configuration is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device lacks articulation capability and cannot be manipulated in confined spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into a rigid shaft portion and a flexible shaft portion, allowing the device to combine structural simplicity with articulation capability. The rigid portion provides structural support while the flexible portion enables bending and articulation in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft configuration transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system where the flexible shaft portion can articulate and adapt its shape. This allows the end effector to reach and manipulate tissue in various orientations within confined surgical spaces.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an articulatable tool member is added to enable manipulation in confined spaces, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanism is segmented into discrete components: the flexible shaft portion, the pivoting linkage with proximal and distal joint members, and the camming assembly. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The camming assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates linear motion into rotational motion of the pivoting linkage. This intermediary component enables controlled articulation without requiring complex direct actuation mechanisms at the distal end.
3Ease of operation
If a pivoting linkage with camming assembly is implemented, then the control precision over the end effector improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is divided into modular components: the pivoting linkage with defined joint members and the camming assembly with cam slots and followers. This modularity allows for standardized manufacturing of individual components and simplifies assembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The camming assembly utilizes the natural geometry of cam slots and followers to automatically generate the desired articulation motion. The mechanism self-regulates the pivoting motion through its geometric constraints, eliminating the need for complex control systems or precision motorized actuation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A surgical device (10) has a jaw assembly (400) with a first jaw and a second jaw, a pivoting linkage (500), and a camming assembly configured to pivot the jaw assembly. A cam slot (526) having a first portion (526a), a second portion (526b), and a third portion (526c) may have a Y shaped configuration. A flexible shaft (202) allows further pivoting of the jaw assembly.