Flexible Steering Platform for Surgical Device Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in remotely controlling and articulating the working end of surgical devices due to the need for precise movement through tight body spaces, especially with flexible shafts, which complicates navigation and adjustment during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device featuring a flexible steering platform with a central passageway and multiple links connected by flexible connector elements, allowing bending in multiple planes of motion via actuating cables, enabling precise control and adjustment of the working end within the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible shaft is used to navigate through tight body spaces, then the device can reach difficult surgical sites, but it becomes challenging and time-consuming to remotely control the working end for precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is divided into multiple articulated segments that can bend at defined joints, allowing the device to navigate tortuous pathways while maintaining controllability through mechanical articulation rather than continuous flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft transitions from a static flexible structure to a dynamically controllable articulated mechanism, where each segment can be independently positioned to achieve precise orientation of the working end at the surgical site
2Adaptability or versatility
If controls for articulating the working end are integrated into a flexible endoscopic instrument, then the working end can be angularly oriented relative to tissue, but the size constraints of the instrument make integration complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation controls are merged with the shaft structure itself, where the articulated segments serve both as structural elements for navigation and as control mechanisms for positioning the working end, eliminating separate control components
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated shaft segments perform multiple functions: they enable navigation through tight spaces, provide structural support, and serve as the articulation control mechanism for orienting the working end, reducing overall device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is made flexible to navigate through varied directions, then the device can reach the desired destination, but it requires significant time and effort to remotely control the working end through tight working spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is pre-configured with articulated segments that can be quickly deployed into position, allowing the operator to rapidly navigate to the surgical site and then quickly adjust the working end orientation without time-consuming manual manipulation
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
Enhances the ability to navigate and adjust the working end of surgical instruments through complex body anatomy, improving precision and ease of use during minimally invasive procedures by allowing flexible movement in multiple directions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of flexible connector elements. Adjacent links are connected with at least two of the connector elements such that flexing at least two of the connector elements can bend the steering platform in at least two planes of motion
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for controlling movement of a working end of a surgical device configured to be introduced into a body. In one embodiment, a surgical device is provided including a cannulated elongate shaft having a distal working end with a flexible steering platform. The flexible steering platform can includes a plurality of axially aligned links and a plurality of flexible connector elements. Adjacent links can be connected using at least two of the connector elements such that flexing one or more connector elements can bend the steering platform in one or more directions. The surgical device's shaft can be configured to receive a flexible surgical instrument therein such that a working end of the surgical instrument can be received within the steering platform, thereby allowing movement of the surgical instrument's working end to be controlled through movement of the steering platform.