Ergonomic Handle with Articulated Trigger for Surgical Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical instrument handles, particularly those used in laparoscopic surgery, often cause user fatigue due to unnatural hand postures and limited range of motion, leading to discomfort and reduced effectiveness during extended procedures.
Innovation Solution
A multi-functional ergonomic handle with a centrally-registered longitudinal plane, featuring a first trigger assembly with an actuation arm and primary digit-receiving member that can be selectively displaced between alternate orientations, allowing independent actuation of the medical instrument and reducing user fatigue through adjustable and articulated design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional looped devices are used to lock digits and hand into a single orientation, then the device structure is simple, but the range of motion is limited and hand stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle allows the hand to assume multiple natural orientations rather than locking into a single fixed position. The trigger assembly can be articulated to different positions, enabling the hand to adapt to various angles of use while maintaining ergonomic alignment, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The handle is divided into separable components including the trigger assembly, actuation arm, and digit-receiving member. This segmentation allows independent movement and articulation of each component, enabling the hand to achieve multiple orientations without requiring a completely complex integrated structure
2Ease of operation
If digit loops are used to maintain hand position, then the device is easy to manufacture, but severe wrist adduction or flexion occurs causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger assembly is designed to articulate to different positions, allowing the hand to maintain ergonomic alignment throughout the range of motion. This dynamic adjustment prevents fixed-position discomfort and wrist stress while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The handle design accommodates asymmetric hand positions and orientations that occur during different surgical angles. By allowing asymmetric articulation of the trigger assembly, the design prevents forced symmetric positioning that causes wrist adduction or flexion
3Ease of operation
If the instrument is supported by only thumb and finger, then the device structure is simple, but the hand and wrists make awkward angles causing fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The handle design incorporates movement in multiple dimensions, allowing the trigger assembly to articulate not only in the primary operating direction but also in angular orientations. This multi-dimensional freedom enables natural hand postures across various surgical angles without requiring complex additional support structures
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functional handle manipulates a medical instrument and includes a body capable of being gripped by a hand of a user and further capable of being in communication with the medical instrument. In non-limiting exemplary embodiments, the handle may include one or more of a first trigger assembly, a second trigger assembly and a third trigger assembly. Non-limiting exemplary embodiments also include one or more of a primary digit-receiving member, a secondary digit-receiving member, and a tertiary digit-supporting member for facilitating ergonomic operation of the handle. The actuation arm actuates the medical instrument independently from movement of the primary digit-receiving member wherein the primary digit-receiving member can be selectively displaced between alternate orientations relative to a position of the body and relative to a position of the actuation arm, respectively, without affecting manipulation of the medical instrument.