Flexible Surgical Tool Head With Sliding Core Jaws

Solution Overview

Problem

Prior art surgical forceps have a rigid structure, limiting their flexibility and range of use in delicate surgical operations.

Innovation Solution

A surgical tool with a flexible shaft comprising a superelastic metal wire core and a flexible metal tube, allowing the tool head jaws to open and close through sliding movements, enabling the tool to be bent freely and applied to a wider range of surgical procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid structure is used for the surgical tool shaft, then the structural strength and stability are improved, but the flexibility and adaptability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into multiple rigid segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the shaft to bend while maintaining structural integrity. Each segment retains the strength of rigid construction while the segmented configuration enables flexibility and adaptability for various surgical approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft combines rigid materials (for structural strength) with flexible materials (for bendability). This composite construction allows the shaft to maintain sufficient strength while achieving the flexibility needed for minimally invasive surgical procedures through trocar ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If a rigid structure is used for the surgical tool shaft, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural precisionVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into multiple rigid segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the shaft to bend while maintaining structural integrity. Each segment retains the strength of rigid construction while the segmented configuration enables flexibility and adaptability for various surgical approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the shaft is made flexible, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the structural strength is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into multiple rigid segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the shaft to bend while maintaining structural integrity. Each segment retains the strength of rigid construction while the segmented configuration enables flexibility and adaptability for various surgical approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft combines rigid materials (for structural strength) with flexible materials (for bendability). This composite construction allows the shaft to maintain sufficient strength while achieving the flexibility needed for minimally invasive surgical procedures through trocar ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

The flexible design enhances the tool's usability in various surgical fields by allowing it to be integrated into more complex procedures and facilitating easier sterilization and disinfection.

Implementation Method 1

the elastic metal wire is made of nickel-titanium alloy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperelasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3903709B1Surgical tool

Publication Date: 2024.10.09 BEIJING SURGERII ROBOTICS CO LTD

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AI summary

Disclosed is a surgical tool. The surgical tool comprises a surgical tool head (11) and a rod shaft (12). The surgical tool head (11) is connected with the shaft (12). The shaft (12) is a flexible shaft and comprises a flexible core and a flexible sleeve. The flexible sleeve has an inner cavity, and the flexible core is slidably disposed in the inner cavity. The surgical tool head (11) comprises two jaws (111, 112). The flexible core and the flexible sleeve are respectively connected with the two jaws (111, 112), and the flexible core is able to slide relatively to the flexible sleeve to drive the two jaws (111, 112) to make relative opening and closing movements. The shaft (12) of the surgical tool can be bent freely into any shape, and thus can be integrated into a flexible surgical tool and applied in a wider range.