Needle Driver With Rotatable Shaft And Ratchet Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional needle drivers are ergonomically limited, causing strain and fatigue in surgeons during suturing procedures, especially in endoscopic and microsurgery, due to restricted manipulation and suboptimal gripping force, leading to prolonged surgery times and increased risk of needle dropping.
Innovation Solution
A needle driver design featuring a slideable actuator and clamping device with biasing shafts and cam members that allow for adjustable clamping force and improved ergonomic handling, enabling easier manipulation and reduced fatigue through a knurled surface and ratchet mechanism for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional needle driver design is used, then the device structure is simple, but the surgeon experiences strain and fatigue due to restricted manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The needle driver incorporates a rotatable shaft that allows dynamic adjustment of the jaw assembly orientation relative to the handle. This enables the surgeon to rotate the shaft to achieve comfortable hand positions and manipulate the needle driver in various orientations without wrist strain, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle driver is divided into distinct functional segments: the handle, the rotatable shaft, and the jaw assembly. This segmentation allows independent rotation of the shaft portion, enabling the surgeon to adjust the angle between the handle and jaw assembly to reduce fatigue during prolonged use.
2Reliability
If conventional needle driver jaws are used, then the device structure is simple, but the gripping force is suboptimal leading to needle dropping
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly includes a ratchet mechanism that pre-loads the needle between the jaws before the surgeon releases the clamping action. This preliminary mechanical engagement ensures the needle is securely held, compensating for any loss of gripping force during manipulation and preventing needle dropping.
Solution Approach 2:
The conventional purely mechanical jaw closure is replaced with a hybrid system incorporating a ratchet mechanism and cam members. This substitution provides a mechanical advantage that maintains consistent gripping force on the needle throughout the suturing process, enhancing reliability.
3Productivity
If conventional needle driver is used, then the device is simple, but surgery time is prolonged due to fatigue and difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable shaft enables dynamic repositioning of the jaw assembly during surgery, allowing the surgeon to maintain ergonomic hand positions throughout the procedure. This reduces fatigue and enables faster, more efficient suturing without compromising comfort.
4Force
If the jaws are completely closed, then the clamping force is maximized, but no physical space remains to grip the needle
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet mechanism engages before the jaws reach complete closure, pre-loading the needle between the jaws at an optimal gap distance. This allows the jaws to maintain both sufficient clamping force and the necessary physical space to securely grip the needle throughout the suturing process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved ergonomic design reduces surgeon fatigue and enhances precision, allowing for faster and more efficient suturing with reduced risk of needle dropping, particularly beneficial in minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A proximal biasing member, such as a spring, can extend between the biasing shaft and the second elongated body and can be configured to bias the second elongated body in the distal direction
Implementation Method 2
The actuator can include a knurled outer surface that can facilitate grasping by a surgeon's finger
Data Source
AI summary
A needle driver includes a first elongated body that defines an interior chamber. A second elongated body defines an interior space, and is slideable within the interior chamber defined by the first elongated body between a retracted position and an extended position. The needle driver also includes a clamping device having a clamping end and a connecting member, which is affixed to the first elongated body and coupled within the clamping end. A biasing shaft is slideably disposed within the interior space defined by the second elongated body. An actuator is affixed to the biasing shaft and is slideable in a proximal direction and a distal direction.