Laparoscopic Pivoting Blade Assembly for Precise Tissue Cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures require advanced surgical instruments for precise tissue cutting, as existing instruments are challenging to maneuver and require significant skill due to their long, narrow design.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic tissue cutting device with an elongate shaft assembly, actuation assembly, and blade assembly, featuring a pivoting mechanism that allows the blade to pivot and axially displace for precise cutting, facilitated by a pivoting rod and axial rod system, with a spring for biasing the blade to an open configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional long narrow endoscopic instruments are used for tissue cutting, then minimally invasive surgery can be performed, but the instruments are difficult to maneuver and require significant skill
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly is designed to pivot between a retracted configuration and a cutting configuration, transforming from a static instrument to a dynamic one that can adapt its shape. The pivoting mechanism allows the blade to rotate about an axis, enabling it to engage and disengage from the support surface, providing maneuverability while maintaining a relatively simple overall instrument structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is divided into distinct functional components: an elongate shaft assembly, a blade assembly, and a actuation assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the shaft remains simple and narrow for minimally invasive insertion, while the blade assembly can have complex pivoting mechanics for precise cutting control.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the blade is kept retracted for safety, then patient safety is improved, but the blade cannot engage tissue for cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The blade assembly transitions between retracted and engaged states through pivoting motion. When retracted, the blade is positioned away from the support surface, minimizing tissue damage risk. When the actuation assembly is activated, the blade pivots to engage the support surface, enabling precise cutting. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between safety and cutting capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the blade pivots to engage the support surface, then cutting precision is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism provides precise control over blade engagement with the support surface. By rotating the blade assembly about a pivot axis, the distal tip can be positioned accurately against the support surface for cutting, while the proximal portion remains flexible. This dynamic positioning achieves high cutting precision without requiring overly complex mechanical structures.
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
The device provides a smoother and longer-lasting cut through tissue, reducing the need for skilled maneuvering and enhancing precision in minimally invasive surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation assembly may further include a spring operatively associated with the pivoting rod to bias the axial rod towards a distal-most position
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue cutting device has a blade that pivots to pierce through tissue and translates to cut tissue, thereby providing a clean and smooth cut through tissue. The blade is coupled to an axial rod. Axial displacement of the axial rod pivots the blade and imparts axial displacement to the blade.