Lever Latch Assemblies for Vessel Sealer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments face challenges in effectively sealing larger blood vessels and tissue structures due to difficulties in applying precise mechanical parameters like pressure and gap distance, especially when using small cannulas for minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a housing and end effector assembly that includes a drive bar and handle assembly with pivot linkages, allowing for longitudinal translation and latching mechanisms to control jaw members, providing precise pressure and gap control for effective tissue sealing and cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard electrosurgical instruments are used for vessel sealing, then small vessels below two millimeters can be closed effectively, but larger vessels cannot be sealed properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the mechanical parameters of the electrosurgical instrument by incorporating a ratchet mechanism and spring-loaded jaw system that enables precise control of clamping force and gap distance. This allows the instrument to adapt to different vessel sizes by adjusting the compression force and electrode spacing, thereby achieving reliable sealing for both small and large vessels
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument employs a dynamic jaw closure system with ratchet engagement that allows progressive compression. The jaw members can be adjusted to different positions along the ratchet teeth, enabling the operator to optimize the clamping force and gap distance for vessels of varying sizes, transforming a static instrument into a dynamically adjustable tool
2Reliability
If precise pressure and gap distance control is implemented for effective vessel sealing, then larger vessels can be sealed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism provides automatic one-way locking of the jaw position once closed, eliminating the need for complex active locking systems. The spring-loaded jaw automatically maintains constant compression force on the tissue throughout the sealing process, self-regulating the pressure without requiring additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The ratchet teeth act as an intermediary mechanical element that translates the closing motion into discrete, controlled position steps. This intermediate mechanism simplifies the control of jaw gap distance by providing predefined spacing intervals, reducing the complexity of continuous adjustment systems
3Loss of time
If minimally invasive procedures with small cannulas are used, then patient recovery time is reduced, but instrument maneuverability and control precision are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a triggering mechanism for initiation, a ratchet mechanism for positioning, and a spring-loaded jaw for force application. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining precise control capabilities despite the constrained access through small cannulas
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a housing and an end effector spaced from the housing and transitionable between first and second conditions. A drive bar is coupled to the end effector and extends into the housing. The drive bar is translatable between first and second positions for transitioning the end effector between the first and second conditions. A handle assembly is moveable between initial and actuateds position for translating the drive bar between the first and second positions. One or more linkages couple the drive bar, the handle assembly, and the housing to one another by at least first, second and third pivots. At least one of the pivots is fixed and at least one of the pivots is floating. The second pivot is movable relative to the first and third pivots between an unlatched position and an over-center latched position for latching the end effector in the second condition.