Nested Forceps Subassembly for Compact Assembly and Jaw Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical devices with handpieces that actuate end effectors, such as forceps, face challenges in reducing packaging space, simplifying design and manufacturing, enhancing user experience, increasing stability, and preventing damage.
Innovation Solution
The development of a medical device with a handpiece that includes an actuation system allowing for the control of end effectors to be rotatable, openable, closeable, extendable, and capable of supplying electromagnetic energy, featuring a drive shaft motion transfer assembly with a force-limiting spring and clip to prevent damage by limiting excessive force applied to the jaws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional forceps design is used, then the structure is simple, but the packaging space cannot be reduced and manufacturing cannot be simplified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested subassembly structure where the blade subassembly is positioned within the jaw subassembly, and the slider subassembly is integrated within the blade subassembly. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the overall packaging space required for the forceps device while maintaining the complexity of individual subassemblies at manageable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The forceps device is divided into distinct modular subassemblies including a jaw subassembly, blade subassembly, and slider subassembly. Each subassembly can be independently manufactured, assembled, and tested, then integrated into the final device. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing parallel production of components and reduces packaging space by enabling compact arrangement of modular units.
2Reliability
If force-limiting mechanism is added, then damage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force-limiting mechanism incorporates a spring element that is pre-loaded to provide a predetermined force limit before excessive force can be transmitted to the jaws. This beforehand cushioning protects the jaw components from damage by absorbing excess force through spring compression, while the mechanism remains integrated within the existing slider subassembly structure, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The force-limiting mechanism uses a spring element as an intermediary between the slider subassembly and the jaw subassembly. This spring intermediary absorbs and limits excessive forces transmitted through the drive shaft, protecting the jaw components from damage while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure that integrates with the existing forceps architecture.
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
This solution improves the stability and usability of medical devices by allowing precise control of end effectors while preventing damage from excessive force, thus enhancing the user experience and simplifying the design and manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a force-limiting spring and clip to prevent damage by limiting excessive force applied to the jaws
Implementation Method 2
FORCEPS WITH CAMMING JAWS
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of assembling a medical device including pivotably connecting a coupling link to a first lever. The coupling link including a main body and a tab extending away from the main body. The first lever having a first pivot and a boss. The method further including nesting the first lever and the coupling link with a second lever such that a recess in the second lever is supported by the boss, and such that an inner surface of the second lever is supported by the coupling link to provide a portion of the medical device in a sub-assembled state.