Lead Screw Assembly for Surgical Instrument Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical instruments face challenges in efficiently cutting and sealing tissue while providing precise control over the cutting and coagulation processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrosurgical instrument featuring a handle assembly, shaft assembly, articulation assembly, and end effector that allows for precise control over tissue cutting and sealing through bipolar RF energy application, with an articulation drive assembly enabling the end effector to deflect relative to the shaft assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a lead screw assembly is used for articulation control, then precise control over end effector positioning is achieved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The lead screw assembly is nested within the articulation drive assembly, with the lead screw positioned inside a protective housing that is integrated into the shaft assembly. This nesting approach consolidates multiple components into a compact arrangement, reducing overall device complexity while preserving the precise positioning capability provided by the lead screw mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation control system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the lead screw assembly for precise positioning, the articulation drive assembly for power transmission, and the end effector assembly for surgical operations. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall system architecture and facilitating easier maintenance and manufacturing.
2Manufacturing precision
If bipolar RF energy is applied for tissue cutting and sealing, then surgical precision and effectiveness are enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar RF energy delivery is implemented in controlled periodic pulses rather than continuous application. The control system activates RF energy delivery only during specific phases of the surgical operation when tissue cutting or sealing is required, allowing for precise temporal control that enhances surgical precision while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control mechanisms that monitor tissue impedance and RF energy delivery parameters in real-time. This feedback allows the control system to automatically adjust energy delivery levels to the minimum necessary for effective tissue cutting and sealing, optimizing the balance between surgical precision and energy consumption by preventing both under-delivery (which would compromise precision) and over-delivery (which would waste energy).
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 instrument achieves efficient tissue cutting and sealing with precise control, allowing for flexible articulation of the end effector to accommodate various tissue locations, thereby enhancing surgical precision and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an articulation drive assembly having a lead screw configured to convert rotation to translation of the articulation connector
Implementation Method 2
The coupling member is rotatably disposed within the cavity defined by the lead screw assembly and is longitudinally fixed to the articulation connector such that rotation of the coupling member translates the articulation connector
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, an articulation connector, and an articulation drive assembly. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body. The end effector is connected to the articulation section such that the end effector is configured to deflect relative to the longitudinal axis of the shaft assembly. The articulation connector is configured to translate relative to the shaft assembly to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis. The articulation drive assembly is configured to translate the articulation connector relative to the shaft assembly. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing and a first lead screw assembly. The first lead screw assembly includes a first half and a second half. The first lead screw assembly is slidably coupled with the shaft assembly and is configured to translate in response to rotation of the rotatable housing.