Interchangeable Tool Heads for Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for cardiac ablation procedures are limited by the need for multiple dedicated tools and frequent tool exchanges during minimally invasive surgeries, which complicates the procedure and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Development of interchangeable tool heads with integrated actuation systems that can be removably mounted to a control arm, allowing for independent energization and easy exchange between arms, featuring gripping surfaces for secure attachment and enabling simultaneous use by multiple control arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated surgical tools are used for different procedures, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase due to frequent tool exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
A single control arm is designed to universally support multiple interchangeable tool heads, each dedicated to specific surgical functions. The control arm includes a standardized interface that can accommodate ablation clamps, ablation pens, dissectors, and other surgical tools, allowing one control arm to perform multiple surgical tasks without requiring separate dedicated arms for each tool type.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical system is divided into separate modular components: a reusable control arm and disposable or interchangeable tool heads. This segmentation allows the control arm to remain while only the tool heads are exchanged during procedures, reducing the complexity of exchanging entire assembled tools and enabling faster tool changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated surgical tools are used for different procedures, then functional versatility is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent tool exchanges during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tool heads are pre-loaded and sterilized before the surgical procedure begins. The control arm is pre-configured with the standardized interface ready to accept different tool heads. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex tool assembly or sterilization during the procedure, allowing surgeons to quickly exchange tools by simply detaching one head and attaching another.
3Ease of operation
If tool heads are made independent and interchangeable, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
All tool heads are designed with a standardized interface and mounting mechanism that maintains uniform dimensions, connection protocols, and actuation interfaces. This homogeneity simplifies manufacturing by using common components and assembly procedures across different tool head types, reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from customizing each tool head's connection system.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments are disclosed in which an elongated shaft is used in conjunction with a separate, remotely actuable tool head for performing a procedure on a target tissue. The shaft has a tool engagement member carried at its distal end that is remotely actuable through the shaft to engage and release the tool head.