Flexible Rod Guided Surgical Instrument for Low-Friction Tip Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive surgical instruments face challenges in achieving accurate control and prolonged life of driving members due to frequent movement, leading to increased friction and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument incorporates a flexible rod and driving wire configuration, where the driving wire extends through the flexible rod, maintaining spaces between connecting units to reduce friction and facilitate accurate movement of the end effector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the driving wire is frequently moved to adjust the end effector position, then the control accuracy is improved, but the friction increases and the driving wire life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rod serves as an intermediary component between the driving wire and the end effector. The driving wire extends through the flexible rod, which acts as a protective sleeve that reduces direct friction between the driving wire and surrounding structures. This intermediary structure allows the driving wire to move smoothly while being protected, thereby maintaining control accuracy over extended periods and prolonging the driving wire's operational life.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the driving wire is constrained within the connecting assembly, then the structural stability is improved, but the friction increases and movement accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible rod functions as a flexible shell that houses the driving wire within the connecting assembly. This flexible shell provides structural stability and protection to the driving wire while allowing it to move smoothly through its length. The flexible nature of the rod prevents excessive friction and binding, thereby maintaining the driving wire's movement accuracy while preserving the overall structural stability of the connecting assembly.
3Reliability
If the driving wire moves freely without guidance, then the friction is reduced, but the movement control accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving wire is nested within the flexible rod, creating a hierarchical structure where the wire is contained and guided by the rod. This nesting arrangement allows the driving wire to move freely within the protective environment of the flexible rod, reducing friction with external structures. Simultaneously, the flexible rod provides guidance that maintains the wire's movement accuracy, as the rod's structure prevents lateral deviation while allowing longitudinal movement.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector, a connecting assembly, and a tip driving unit. The connecting assembly includes a plurality of connecting units connected in sequence, and the end effector is connected to the connecting assembly. The tip driving unit includes a flexible rod and a driving wire, the driving wire extends out of the flexible rod and is connected to the end effector. The flexible rod extends through the connecting assembly, and at least one end of the flexible rod is a free end. Due to the flexible rod, friction of the driving wire in a moving state can be reduced, thereby a life of the driving wire can be prolonged, and an accurate movement of the driving wire can be maintained.