Articulatable Surgical Instrument With Independent Articulation Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling devices face challenges in efficiently articulating the end effector relative to the shaft, particularly during actuation, which can lead to buckling and interference with the axial drive assembly.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a bending cable or band system mechanically coupled to a boss, allowing the end effector to pivot relative to the shaft through an articulation joint, with a mechanism that includes an articulation control to lock or unlock the end effector position, enabling smooth articulation and preventing interference with the axial drive assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector is articulated relative to the shaft during actuation, then the surgical instrument can access complex anatomical geometries, but the axial drive assembly may buckle or interfere with the articulation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The drive assembly is segmented into multiple independent components: a firing drive for actuating the end effector, and a separate articulation drive for articulating the end effector. This segmentation allows each drive to operate independently without interfering with the other, eliminating buckling issues while maintaining full articulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A decoupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the firing drive and the articulation drive. This intermediary allows the articulation drive to rotate the end effector relative to the shaft while preventing the firing drive from experiencing buckling forces during articulation, thus maintaining both articulation versatility and drive reliability.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional articulated mechanism is used, then the end effector can rotate relative to the shaft, but the mechanism may interfere with the axial drive assembly during actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical system is divided into separate articulation and firing functions with dedicated drives for each. The articulation drive controls end effector rotation independently from the firing drive that controls stapling and cutting, eliminating mechanical interference while maintaining smooth articulation operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism is designed to be dynamically controlled through a separate articulation drive that can independently adjust end effector orientation during the surgical procedure. This dynamic control allows smooth articulation without interfering with the axial firing drive operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.