Floating Detent Mechanism for Surgical End Effector Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimally invasive surgical devices for hernia repair lack efficient and precise mechanisms for attaching and detaching end effectors, particularly in small workspaces, which complicates the securement of meshes to body tissue.

Innovation Solution

The development of a surgical device with a selectively movable and floating detent that couples a proximally extending drive shaft to an inner shaft assembly, enabling remote attachment and detachment of end effectors, allowing for articulation and firing of anchors to secure meshes to body tissue.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional attachment mechanism is used for end effectors in minimally invasive surgical devices, then the device structure is simpler, but the attachment and detachment process becomes more complex and time-consuming in small workspaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment and detachment of end effectorsVSAvoiddetent mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detent mechanism is designed to be selectively movable between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing dynamic control of the coupling state between the drive shaft and inner shaft assembly. This enables rapid attachment and detachment of end effectors without complex manual manipulation in constrained surgical spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The detent acts as an intermediary element that mediates the coupling between the drive shaft and inner shaft assembly. By positioning the detent within the drive shaft and allowing it to engage with corresponding features on the inner shaft assembly, the mechanism provides reliable connection and release functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If remote actuation is implemented for end effector attachment, then the surgical procedure becomes more minimally invasive, but the control precision may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote attachment capabilityVSAvoidattachment positioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detent mechanism incorporates a selectively movable design that allows for controlled engagement and disengagement. This pre-planned mechanical cushioning ensures that remote actuation forces are properly distributed and controlled, maintaining positioning accuracy despite the remote nature of the actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The detent mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage through the selective movement mechanism, reducing the need for precise manual control during attachment. The self-servicing nature of the mechanism maintains positioning accuracy while enabling remote operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11871976B2Connecting end effectors to surgical devices

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical fastener applying device for releasable connection to an end effector is provided. The surgical fastener applying device includes an elongated body portion having an outer tube and an inner shaft assembly. The inner shaft assembly defines a non-circular bore in a distal end thereof. The inner shaft assembly is longitudinally movable through the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner shaft assembly define corresponding openings extending radially therethrough. The surgical fastener applying device includes a detent movable within the openings of the elongated body portion. The detent floats between the end effector and the elongated body portion to enable selective connection between the end effector and the elongated body portion.