Insert Guide Member for Surgical Instrument Wrist Routing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical instruments face challenges in routing multiple actuation members and flux conduits through minimally invasive instruments, particularly through joints, which can lead to movement constraints, stress/strain issues, and potential damage, while also requiring efficient manufacturing and capacitive coupling avoidance.

Innovation Solution

The use of an insert guide member with a central channel and passages that minimize length change and provide support for actuation members and flux conduits, routing them along a path that conserves length and avoids undue stress, and incorporating a sleeve to protect conduits from pinching during articulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuation members and flux conduits are routed through the instrument shaft and joints, then the instrument functionality is enhanced, but the risk of movement constraint and stress/strain damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument functionalityVSAvoiddamage risk to actuation members and conduits

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an insert guide member as an intermediary component that mediates between the shaft and the actuation members/conduits. This guide member provides a protected pathway through the wrist joint, allowing multiple components to pass through while preventing direct contact with joint members that could cause pinching or damage. The guide member acts as a protective intermediary structure that enables functionality while reducing harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where the insert guide member is positioned within the central channel of the wrist, and multiple actuation members and flux conduits are routed through passages within this guide member. This nested structure allows multiple components to be organized and protected within a hierarchical framework, preventing them from being damaged by external joint members during articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If actuation members and flux conduits are routed through joints, then the instrument can perform minimally invasive procedures, but the conduits may be pinched or subjected to undue stress during articulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally invasive capabilityVSAvoidpinching and stress during articulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insert guide member serves as a protective intermediary that separates the flux conduits from direct contact with joint members. By providing a dedicated pathway through the wrist joint, the guide member prevents pinching and undue stress on the conduits during articulation movements, enabling minimally invasive procedures without compromising conduit integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent provides beforehand protection by pre-positioning the insert guide member with smooth, rounded passages that are designed to prevent stress concentration. The guide member's structure anticipates the articulation movements and prevents harmful forces from reaching the conduits before damage can occur, cushioning them against pinching and stress during joint articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If flux conduits are routed close to the main shaft, then space is efficiently utilized, but capacitive coupling between electrical conductors and the shaft occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidcapacitive coupling

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality differentiation by providing enhanced insulation and spacing specifically at the critical regions where flux conduits are most vulnerable to capacitive coupling. The insert guide member incorporates localized insulating structures and passage designs that maintain adequate separation between electrical conductors and the main shaft, preventing capacitive coupling while preserving overall space efficiency through targeted rather than comprehensive spacing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250009410A1Insert guide members for surgical instruments, and related devices, systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2025.01.09 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A surgical instrument includes a shaft, an end effector, and a wrist coupling the end effector to the shaft. The wrist has a central channel extending along a length of the wrist. An insert guide member is positioned in the central channel. The insert guide member has an exterior lateral wall extending between a first end and a second end of the insert guide member and an interior lateral wall extending between the first end and the second end. A passage extends from the first end of the insert guide member to the second end of the insert guide member. The passage can include a first portion extending through the insert guide member between an interior lateral wall of the insert guide member and the exterior lateral wall of the insert guide member, and a second portion intersecting the exterior lateral wall of the insert guide member.