Surgical Forceps with Lateral Pivot Axes for High Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical gripping forceps require a substantial clamping force with minimal actuating force while maintaining a small size, and existing designs often have short lever arms and multiple components, increasing the risk of injury and complicating disinfection.
Innovation Solution
The design features each gripping jaw with its own pivot axis, positioned more than 38% of the main body's width or diameter from the midline, and uses a push element with link pins to articulate the lever arms, reducing the number of components and enhancing force multiplication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a jointly used pivot pin is used for both gripping jaws, then the structural size is reduced, but the lever arm length is inevitably shortened and clamping force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the previously unified pivot pin structure into separate pivot axes for each gripping jaw. Each gripping jaw (60, 70) now has its own stationary pivot axis (61, 71) positioned independently, allowing each lever arm to be optimized for maximum length and mechanical advantage without being constrained by a shared pivot location.
2Force
If the pivot axis is positioned closer to the midline, then the device size is reduced, but the lever arm length is shortened and force multiplication is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the pivot axes from a central location to lateral positions within the main body, utilizing the width dimension more effectively. The pivot axes are positioned at a distance of at least 38% of the main body's maximum width or diameter from the midline, extending the lever arms laterally to achieve greater force multiplication while maintaining a compact overall device size.
3Force
If multiple separate components are used for each gripping jaw, then the clamping force is improved, but the number of parts increases and disinfection is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pivot axes (61, 71) directly into the main body (10) structure, eliminating the need for separate external pivot pins or mounting components. This merging of the pivot functionality into the main body reduces the total number of discrete parts while maintaining the improved mechanical advantage, thereby simplifying assembly and disinfection procedures.
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
This configuration allows for effective clamping force with customary actuating force, reducing the risk of injury and simplifying disinfection by minimizing the number of parts and joints, suitable for laparoscopic surgery instruments.
Implementation Method 1
each gripping jaw having a stationary pivot axis relative to the main body, and a lever arm, and with the lever arms being articulated via at least one push element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to surgical gripping forceps with two gripping jaws movable relative to a main body, with each gripping jaw having a stationary pivot axis relative to the main body, and a lever arm, and with the lever arms being articulated via at least one push element. Each gripping jaw has its own pivot axis. The distance between the individual pivot axis and the midline of the main body is at least greater than 38% of the maximum width of the main body or the maximum diameter of the main body. The present invention also provides microsurgical gripping forceps that a substantial clamping force between the gripping jaws with customary force for actuating the forceps.