Modular Surgical Clip Applier with Removable Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical clip appliers are either tedious and time-consuming for single-clip application or complex and costly for multiple-clip application, often lacking tactile feedback and being prone to damage during autoclaving.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clip applier with a handle assembly, jaws, and a cartridge that allows for manual actuation of multiple clips, featuring a removable cartridge and jaws that can be separately sterilized, providing tactile feedback and reducing complexity and cost through modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If single-fire clip appliers are used to apply multiple clips, then the device structure remains simple, but the surgical process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components: a reusable handle assembly and replaceable cartridges containing multiple clips. This allows the simple handle structure to be retained while adding multi-clip capability through the cartridge mechanism, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and application efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple clips are pre-loaded into the cartridge before surgery. The manual actuator advances clips sequentially from the pre-loaded cartridge, eliminating the need to manually pick up each clip during surgery. This preliminary preparation maintains device simplicity while dramatically improving clip application efficiency.
2Productivity
If multiple-fire clip appliers with automatic triggers are used, then multiple clips can be applied quickly, but the device becomes complex with numerous components and timing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The surgeon manually operates both the trigger and the clip advancement actuator, eliminating the need for complex automatic timing mechanisms. The device serves itself by using the surgeon's direct control to coordinate clip advancement and application, achieving quick multi-clip application without automated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the trigger mechanism from the clip advancement function. The manual actuator on the cartridge independently controls clip feeding, while the trigger controls jaw closure. This segmentation allows rapid operation without requiring complex integrated timing mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If reusable metal clip appliers are autoclaved, then cost reduction is achieved, but the jaws and internal mechanisms may be bent or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after use, eliminating the need for autoclaving. The reusable handle assembly can be autoclaved without damage because it is designed to withstand sterilization. This differential approach maintains cost efficiency while protecting jaw integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into autoclavable reusable components (handle assembly) and disposable non-autoclavable components (cartridge with clips). This segmentation allows the expensive metallic parts to be sterilized without damage while the disposable cartridge avoids autoclaving, resolving the contradiction between cost efficiency and reliability.
4Productivity
If automatic trigger mechanisms are used, then clip application is rapid, but tactile feedback to the surgeon is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The manual trigger mechanism provides direct tactile feedback to the surgeon's finger during clip application. The surgeon can feel the resistance and completion of jaw closure, maintaining operational control and feedback while achieving rapid application through the pre-loaded cartridge system.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical clip applier is provided having a cartridge carrying multiple surgical clips with a manual graspable actuator configured to sequentially deliver clips to the jaws of the clip applier. Both the cartridge and the jaws are connectable to a scissors-like handle assembly arranged to translate motion from finger loops to the jaws to open and close the jaws and thus close or crimp a delivered clip between the jaws.