Forked Jaw and Cam Bar for Surgical Clip Applier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical clip appliers require complex stroke reversing mechanisms and excessive jaw width to coordinate clip feeding and jaw closure, leading to increased mechanical complexity and limited access in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design features forked-shaped jaws with flexible leg portions for biasing to an open position and a cam bar with angled surfaces, allowing for coordinated clip closure and loading through a pull stroke, eliminating the need for a stroke reversing mechanism and reducing jaw width, while maintaining mechanical advantage and preventing binding conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional cam bar design with external ramps is used, then jaw closure force is achieved, but device complexity increases due to need for stroke reversing mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the stroke reversing mechanism from the conventional cam bar design. By removing this complex component and replacing it with a simplified cam bar that directly coordinates clip feeding and jaw closure through its geometry, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining operational coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam bar is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides jaw closure force through its cam surface geometry, coordinates the timing of clip feeding and jaw closure, and eliminates the need for separate stroke reversing mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
2Device complexity
If conventional ramp height is used, then jaw closure force is achieved, but jaw width increases expanding instrument access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometry of the cam bar from using lateral ramp height to using vertical cam surface angles. By orienting the cam surfaces vertically at the distal end and using the angle of these surfaces rather than their height, the patent achieves jaw closure force while reducing jaw width and improving instrument access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cam bar, specifically using vertically disposed angled cam surfaces with optimized angles (e.g., 30-60 degrees) instead of conventional lateral ramps. This parameter change allows achievement of sufficient jaw closure force with reduced jaw width.
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 solution simplifies the mechanical complexity of surgical clip appliers, allowing for efficient clip application with reduced instrument width, ensuring effective closure of clips around vessels without diminishing mechanical advantage and preventing binding issues.
Implementation Method 1
The jaw is fork shaped having flexible leg portions supporting the distal jaw tips and acting as biasing means for returning the jaw tips to the open position when stroke is complete.
Implementation Method 2
a cam bar with angled cam surfaces vertically disposed at its distal end and means for receiving the pulling forces generated by the instrument's compressible grips at the proximal end
Data Source
AI summary
A novel jaw and cam ensemble for use in a medical clip applying instrument having a compressible grip assembly at one end and a pair of squeezable jaws at the opposite end. Included is an elongated operating means connecting the cam and jaw ensemble to the compressible grips for the purpose of translating motion one to the other and for sequential advancement and closure of a plurality of clips between the jaws.