Surgical Forceps Jaw Guard for Gap Elimination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical forceps with limited jaw aperture create pinch points during blunt dissection, restricting their effectiveness for grasping and sealing tissue due to exposed gaps at the back of the jaw members.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a U-shaped guard between the jaw members that is rotatable about pivot pins, allowing the jaw members to open wider without gaps, with hourglass-shaped apertures to limit angular rotation and prevent pinch points, enabling wider tissue manipulation while maintaining precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the jaw members are designed to open wider for blunt dissection, then the jaw aperture increases, but gaps and pinch points are created at the back of the jaw members
Solution Approach 1:
A guard member is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second jaw members. The guard member includes a U-shaped configuration with legs that engage with the proximal flanges of the jaw members, filling the gap that would otherwise form during wide opening. This intermediary structure eliminates pinch points while allowing increased jaw aperture for blunt dissection.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard member is segmented into distinct functional portions: a U-shaped body with first and second legs, an aperture for receiving pivot pins, and engagement features that interact with the jaw members. This segmentation allows the guard to be independently designed and assembled, enabling it to perform the specific function of gap-filling without interfering with the overall jaw mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the jaw members are constrained to prevent gap exposure, then pinch points are eliminated, but the jaw aperture is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guard member is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing it to rotate about the pivot pins in conjunction with the jaw members. The hourglass-shaped aperture in the guard member permits rotational movement while maintaining the gap-filling function. This dynamic design enables the guard to adapt its position during jaw opening and closing cycles, preventing pinch points without limiting jaw aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard member serves as a dynamic intermediary that maintains continuous contact between the jaw members during movement. By rotating with the jaw members, the guard ensures that the gap between proximal flanges remains filled throughout the range of motion, eliminating pinch points while preserving wide jaw aperture capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a guard member is added to eliminate gaps, then pinch points are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guard member is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component: (1) filling the gap between proximal flanges to eliminate pinch points, (2) providing rotational guidance through its U-shaped configuration, (3) serving as a pivot pin mounting structure, and (4) maintaining continuous contact between jaw members. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard member merges the gap-filling function with the pivot mechanism and the jaw member interface structure into a single integrated component. By combining these functions, the design avoids the need for separate gap-filling elements and pivot mounting structures, thus minimizing the increase in device complexity while effectively preventing pinch points.
Data Source
AI summary
An end effector assembly for a forceps includes first and second jaw members, each including a proximal flange extending therefrom. Each proximal flange defines an aperture extending therethrough configured to receive a pivot assembly including first and second pivot pins. The second proximal flange includes a U-shaped cross section having first and second legs defining a slot therebetween. A guard is disposed between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members and includes a U-shaped cross section with first and second legs configured to receive the proximal flange of the first jaw member and seat within the slot of the second jaw member. The guard is configured to eliminate gaps between the proximal flanges of the first and second jaw members during angular rotation of the first and second jaw members between a first, spaced apart position to a second, closer position.