Multi-Piece Jaw Assembly for Consistent Surgical Clip Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic surgical clip appliers lack a reliable mechanism for consistently and efficiently applying surgical clips to vessels during minimally invasive procedures, leading to potential bleeding or fluid leakage due to inconsistent clip application.
Innovation Solution
The design of a surgical clip applier with a jaw retaining assembly that includes metal injection molded (MIM) first and second metallic portions, where the first metallic portion includes opposing jaws and the second portion includes a shaft, with coupling features such as pins and recesses for secure assembly, allowing for precise and consistent clip application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional single-piece jaw assembly is used, then the structure is simple, but the clip application consistency and reliability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly is divided into multiple separate components including a jaw body, jaw retainer, and coupling features that connect to the shaft. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability and consistency in clip application.
2Manufacturing precision
If metal injection molded portions are used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs metal injection molded (MIM) portions for the jaw and shaft components, combining different manufacturing processes to achieve superior fit and precision. The MIM process allows for complex geometries and tight tolerances that would be difficult to achieve with traditional machining alone.
3Reliability
If coupling features are added for secure assembly, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling features are integrated directly into the jaw and shaft structures themselves rather than being separate components. This merging approach secures the connection between jaw and shaft while avoiding the added complexity of separate fastening elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is used to manufacture a surgical instrument configured to apply a surgical clip to a patient. The surgical instrument includes a jaw retaining assembly. The jaw retaining assembly includes a shaft and opposing first and second jaws. The method includes metal injection molding a first metallic portion of the jaw retaining assembly. The method also includes metal injection molding, stamping, and/or laser cutting a second metallic portion of the jaw retaining assembly, wherein the second metallic portion is separately formed from the first metallic portion. The method also includes fixably coupling the first and second metallic portions of the jaw retaining assembly together.