Forceps Actuation Assembly With Force-Limited Jaw and Blade Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices, including forceps, face challenges in reducing packaging space, simplifying design and manufacturing, improving user experience, increasing stability, and preventing damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of a medical forceps system with an improved handpiece that includes an actuation system for controlling an end effector. This system features a drive shaft motion transfer assembly with a drive body, a clip, a drive shaft, and a spring, which facilitates the actuation of jaws and a blade, while incorporating a force-limiting mechanism to prevent over-travel and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional forceps design is used, then manufacturing and packaging are straightforward, but packaging space is excessive and design complexity cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is nested within the outer shaft, and the motion transfer assembly components are nested within each other in a telescopic arrangement. This allows the device to occupy minimal space during storage and packaging while maintaining full functionality during use, directly resolving the contradiction between packaging volume and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps are divided into distinct modular segments including the handpiece, outer shaft, drive shaft, and end effector components. This segmentation allows each component to be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall packaging space while maintaining design simplicity through standardized interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If conventional actuation systems are used, then the structure is simple, but user experience and operational control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The motion transfer assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual input on the handpiece and the end effector actuation. This intermediate mechanism provides precise mechanical advantage and controlled motion transfer, enhancing user experience without requiring complex electronic or hydraulic systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic actuation systems with a refined mechanical motion transfer assembly. This mechanical substitution maintains ease of operation through intuitive manual control while achieving precise actuation of the end effector, avoiding the complexity of electronic controls.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional drive mechanisms are used, then manufacturing is simple, but stability and force control are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shaft is designed with dynamic motion transfer capabilities that adapt to varying force requirements during operation. The motion transfer assembly incorporates movable components that provide stable force control through mechanical advantage, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized mechanical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The motion transfer assembly is pre-configured with optimized mechanical geometry and force distribution characteristics during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures stable force control is inherent in the design, eliminating the need for complex active control systems while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
4Reliability
If conventional motion transfer assemblies are used, then design is straightforward, but over-travel and damage prevention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The motion transfer assembly incorporates built-in mechanical stops and constrained motion paths that prevent over-travel before damage can occur. These protective features are integrated into the basic assembly design, providing reliability without adding significant complexity to the overall structure.
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 system enhances the functionality and reliability of medical forceps by reducing packaging space, simplifying design, improving user experience, increasing stability, and preventing damage to the device.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, which facilitates the actuation of jaws and a blade
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a force-limiting mechanism to prevent over-travel and damage
Data Source
AI summary
Forceps including a housing, a first body, a second body and a drive shaft. The first body has a passageway extending therethrough. The drive shaft extending through the passageway and connected to the first body such that the first body and the drive shaft are slidable with respect to the housing to drive jaws located at a distal portion of the drive shaft between an open position and a closed position. The second body having a second passageway. The drive shaft extending through the second passageway such that the second body is guided by the drive shaft and is slidable relative to the first body and the drive shaft to displace a blade shaft between a retracted position and an extended position.