Endoscopic Forceps Trigger Cam Pin Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments face challenges in effectively managing larger blood vessels during minimally invasive procedures, as standard instruments often require conversion to open-surgical methods to seal or cut larger vessels, compromising the benefits of endoscopic surgery.
Innovation Solution
The design of an endoscopic bipolar forceps with a housing, shaft, and end effector assembly featuring a movable handle, trigger assembly, and knife mechanism that allows for controlled tissue sealing and cutting, utilizing a cam pin and knife drive bar to maintain an angle between the handle and trigger during actuation, enabling precise tissue manipulation and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If standard endoscopic electrosurgical forceps are used, then small blood vessels below two millimeters in diameter can be closed, but larger vessels require conversion to open-surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (sealing, cutting, and electrocautery) into a single integrated forceps instrument. The jaw members incorporate both sealing surfaces and cutting edges, allowing the instrument to handle both small and large vessels without requiring separate devices or conversion to open surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps are designed with multi-functional capability to seal vessels of various sizes, cut tissue, and provide electrocautery. This universal design allows a single instrument to replace multiple specialized tools, enabling management of both small and large vessels through the same endoscopic access.
2Reliability
If a larger vessel is ligated using standard methods, then the vessel can be controlled, but the endoscopic procedure must be converted to open-surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ligation and cutting functions into a single instrument. The jaw members can simultaneously secure large vessels through compression while the integrated cutting edge divides the vessel, eliminating the need for separate ligation and cutting steps that would require open conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument performs preliminary sealing and compression of the vessel within the jaws before cutting occurs. This preliminary action secures the large vessel in place, preventing hemorrhage during the subsequent cutting process, all while maintaining endoscopic access.
3Ease of operation
If the trigger assembly allows independent movement relative to the housing, then tissue cutting can be facilitated, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the trigger assembly with the movable handle into a integrated unit. The trigger is mounted on the movable handle rather than being a separate component, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the ability to control cutting independently of jaw closure.
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
Enables effective sealing and cutting of larger vessels within the endoscopic framework, maintaining the benefits of minimally invasive surgery by ensuring precise control over tissue manipulation and energy application, thus addressing the limitations of standard instruments.
Implementation Method 1
electrical energy to effect hemostasis by heating the tissue and blood vessels to coagulate, cauterize and/or seal tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending therefrom including an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof having jaw members. A movable handle is pivotable relative to the housing from an initial position wherein the jaw members are spaced relative to one another to a compressed position wherein the jaw members are closed about tissue. A trigger assembly is pivotably coupled to the movable handle and includes a trigger operably coupled to a knife assembly having a knife, a knife drive bar and a cam pin. The trigger includes an elongated slot defined therein configured to house the cam pin for translation therein. Upon actuation of the movable handle, the trigger moves in unison with the movable handle to the compressed position and the cam pin rides within the elongated slot maintaining consistent angle between the movable handle and the trigger during movement thereof.