Micro-Surgical Tool Coupling with Rotational Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-invasive surgical instruments with curved shafts face challenges in rotating easily within body cavities, and existing coupling mechanisms for tools and shafts are not fully satisfactory for easy assembly, disassembly, and rotation.
Innovation Solution
A micro-invasive surgical instrument with a tool detachably coupled to a shaft featuring a joint device, a connecting component with a bayonet coupling mechanism, and a locking device that allows rotational movement while preventing axial displacement, enabling easy assembly and disassembly and facilitating the tool's orientation within the body cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bayonet coupling mechanism is used for detachable connection, then assembly and disassembly become easy, but rotational movement may be unintentional or unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is designed to be movable between a locked position (where it engages with the transmission rod to prevent rotation) and an unlocked position (where rotation is permitted during assembly/disassembly). This dynamic positioning allows the system to switch between operational stability and operational flexibility as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device utilizes the rotational movement itself to engage or disengage from the transmission rod. When the connecting component rotates into the locked position, the locking device automatically engages with the transmission rod without requiring additional actuators or complex mechanisms, making the locking action self-activating.
2Reliability
If the locking device is fixed to the transmission rod, then rotational stability is improved, but assembly and disassembly become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking device is separated from the transmission rod as an independent component that can move relative to it. This segmentation allows the locking device to remain engaged with the transmission rod for stability during operation, while simultaneously allowing the connecting component to be easily attached or detached by moving the locking device between locked and unlocked positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking device acts as an intermediary element between the connecting component and the transmission rod. It provides the locking function during operation while allowing the connecting component to be freely attached or detached when in the unlocked position, mediating between the needs for stability and ease of assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tool is rotatable relative to the shaft, then orientation flexibility is improved, but coupling reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system dynamically switches between two states: a locked state where the locking device engages the transmission rod to prevent rotation and ensure coupling reliability, and an unlocked state where the locking device disengages to allow rotational movement for orientation flexibility. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rotational parameter from unrestricted (when unlocked for assembly/disassembly) to restricted (when locked for operation). By controlling the engagement state of the locking device, the rotational freedom parameter is adjusted to match the operational requirements, achieving both flexibility and reliability at different times.
Data Source
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AI summary
The tool (20) has hinge to which jaw portion (25,26) or other active device is attached. A connecting component is connected to rotate with hinge. A transmission rod (40) is provided to transmit force or torque from proximal end of shaft (30) in micro-invasive surgical instrument (10). A locking device is coupled with rod, such that locking device is rotatable in relation to rod while axial sliding is prohibited. The locking device is mechanically mounted in connecting component, such that it is made to slide axially in relation to connecting component while rotation is prohibited. An independent claim is included for micro-invasive surgical instrument.