Forceps Jaw Actuation Within Outer Tube Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing forceps devices often cause damage to surrounding tissues during medical procedures due to parts extending beyond the outer tube diameter when transitioning jaw members between closed and open positions, leading to potential tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an inner shaft and drive bar mechanism within the outer shaft, where the inner shaft or drive bar translates to pivot the jaw members between open and closed positions without extending beyond the outer tube diameter, minimizing contact with surrounding tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional cam slots are disposed on flanges of jaw members, then the jaw members can be actuated between open and closed positions, but parts of the forceps extend beyond the diameter of the outer tube causing tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cam slots are repositioned from the flanges to the inner tube, allowing the cam pins on the jaw members to engage with the cam slots while remaining within the outer tube diameter. This nesting arrangement enables jaw actuation without extending beyond the protective outer tube envelope, eliminating tissue damage from exposed mechanical parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If flanges extend beyond the outer tube diameter to enable jaw movement, then jaw members can transition between positions, but surrounding tissue is caught or damaged during manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The inner tube serves as an intermediary structure that houses the cam slots and provides a controlled environment for jaw actuation. By mediating the interaction between the jaw members and the actuation mechanism, the inner tube allows full jaw position adjustment while containing all moving parts within the outer tube diameter, preventing tissue contact with exposed mechanical components.
3Ease of operation
If cam pins are operably coupled to cam slots on jaw flanges, then jaw members can be actuated, but the mechanism requires parts to extend beyond the outer tube
Solution Approach 1:
The cam slots are repositioned from the radial flanges to the longitudinal inner tube, changing the spatial dimension of the actuation mechanism. This dimensional reconfiguration allows cam pins to engage with cam slots along the length of the inner tube rather than requiring radial extension beyond the outer tube diameter, maintaining jaw actuation functionality while reducing the forceps' effective diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps having an outer tube extending from a proximal portion to a distal portion and defining a longitudinal axis. A reciprocating inner tube can be located within the outer tube and extend along the longitudinal axis. A stationary jaw can be coupled to the distal portion of the outer tube and a moving jaw can be pivotably moveable relative to the stationary jaw. The moving jaw can be engaged with a portion of the reciprocating inner tube such that translation of the reciprocating inner tube pivots the moving jaw relative to the stationary jaw between an open and closed position.