Flexible Surgical Adapter Assembly Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adapter assemblies for powered surgical devices have rigid body portions that limit flexibility and compatibility with various end effectors, hindering the reuse of handle assemblies and efficient operation.

Innovation Solution

The adapter assembly incorporates a drive coupling assembly with push/pull cables and a trocar member, featuring a flexible design with service slack and high ratio transmission assemblies to convert high-speed, low-torque input to low-speed, high-torque output, enabling secure and versatile attachment to handle assemblies and end effectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the adapter assembly uses rigid body portions, then structural strength and stability are improved, but flexibility and adaptability to various end effectors deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly is divided into distinct segments including a proximal portion, intermediate portion, and distal portion, with the intermediate portion being flexible while the proximal and distal portions remain rigid. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function - the rigid portions provide structural strength for connection, while the flexible intermediate portion provides adaptability for positioning and compatibility with various end effectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the adapter assembly have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal portion is configured with rigid characteristics for secure connection to the handle assembly, the intermediate portion is made flexible to accommodate various positioning requirements, and the distal portion is rigid for secure attachment to the end effector. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the adapter assembly uses rigid body portions, then structural stability is improved, but compatibility with various end effectors deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly is divided into distinct segments including a proximal portion, intermediate portion, and distal portion, with the intermediate portion being flexible while the proximal and distal portions remain rigid. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function - the rigid portions provide structural strength for connection, while the flexible intermediate portion provides adaptability for positioning and compatibility with various end effectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the adapter assembly have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal portion is configured with rigid characteristics for secure connection to the handle assembly, the intermediate portion is made flexible to accommodate various positioning requirements, and the distal portion is rigid for secure attachment to the end effector. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the adapter assembly uses rigid body portions, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter assembly is divided into distinct segments including a proximal portion, intermediate portion, and distal portion, with the intermediate portion being flexible while the proximal and distal portions remain rigid. This segmentation allows each segment to perform its specific function - the rigid portions provide structural strength for connection, while the flexible intermediate portion provides adaptability for positioning and compatibility with various end effectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the adapter assembly have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The proximal portion is configured with rigid characteristics for secure connection to the handle assembly, the intermediate portion is made flexible to accommodate various positioning requirements, and the distal portion is rigid for secure attachment to the end effector. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall strength and localized flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10512466B2Adapter assembly for surgical device

Publication Date: 2019.12.24 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An adapter assembly for connecting an end effector to a surgical instrument includes first and second drive assemblies configured for converting rotational motion into linear motion, and an actuation assembly. The second drive assembly includes a pair of push/pull cables for longitudinally advancing and retracting a drive member.