Motor-Actuated Locking Bolt for Surgical Instrument Service Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments with locking mechanisms require multiple springs for manual operation, which limits their service life due to spring elasticity loss over time.
Innovation Solution
A locking device for surgical instruments that can be actuated by a motor, featuring a locking bolt with a perpendicular longitudinal axis and an actuation device, such as a cam wheel, to move the locking bolt between release and locking positions, reducing the need for springs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual locking mechanisms with springs are used, then the device can be operated manually, but the service life is limited due to spring elasticity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual spring-based locking mechanism with a motor-driven locking device. The motor actuates the locking bolt through a cam mechanism, eliminating the need for springs that lose elasticity over time. This substitution of mechanical spring systems with an electromechanical system resolves the contradiction by providing both automated operation capability and extended service life through consistent motor performance.
2Ease of operation
If multiple springs are used for manual locking operation, then manual actuation is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the multiple spring components from the locking mechanism, replacing them with a single motor unit. The motor-driven cam mechanism achieves the locking and unlocking functions that previously required multiple springs, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational capability.
3Ease of operation
If spring-based locking mechanisms are used, then manual operation is possible, but consistent performance deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the spring-based mechanical system with a motor-driven system that provides consistent and repeatable performance. The motor delivers uniform torque and controlled motion through the cam mechanism, ensuring constant response characteristics that do not deteriorate over time, unlike springs that lose elasticity with repeated use.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking device arranged in an actuation unit of a surgical instrument which has a hollow shaft with the actuation unit arranged at a proximal end of the shaft and having a tool at the distal end of the shaft which can be actuated by an instrument insert which can be movably stored axially in the direction of a main instrument axis (A) in the shaft. The locking device has an engagement element and an actuation device with which the engagement element can be transferred from a release position into a locking position. The engagement element can be a locking bolt which longitudinal axis runs perpendicular to the main axis (A) of the instrument and which has an engagement section configured for engagement with the instrument insert at a first end and a guide section. The locking bolt can be moved in two directions of movement by the actuation device.