Nested Tube Guide Assembly for Bipolar Monopolar Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments that combine bipolar and monopolar functionalities face spatial and functional constraints, leading to complexity and inefficiency in deploying multiple components within a single instrument.
Innovation Solution
An inner guide assembly with proximal and distal tube guides and a wire clip is used to manage and align various components, such as lead wires, drive shafts, and deployment shafts, allowing for efficient operation in both bipolar and monopolar modes without the need for multiple instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functional components are added to a surgical instrument to provide both bipolar and monopolar functionalities, then the versatility and adaptability of the instrument is improved, but the device complexity and spatial constraints within the housing are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nested tube guides where distal tube guides are positioned within proximal tube guides, creating a hierarchical nested structure. This nesting arrangement allows multiple deployment shafts to be housed within each other, efficiently utilizing the limited spatial volume of the instrument shaft while maintaining the capability to deploy multiple functional components for both bipolar and monopolar operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single linear deployment path to a multi-dimensional channel system within the tube guides. Multiple channels are defined in different spatial orientations and positions within the tube guide structure, allowing deployment shafts to travel through distinct three-dimensional pathways. This dimensional organization resolves spatial conflicts between multiple components while maintaining individual functional independence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple deployment structures are added to manage additional functional components, then the ability to deploy multiple components is improved, but the spatial constraints and functional constraints within the shaft are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested tube guides where smaller distal tube guides are positioned within larger proximal tube guides. This nesting configuration allows multiple deployment shafts to be accommodated within the limited shaft volume by arranging them in a hierarchical structure, maximizing space utilization while supporting deployment of multiple functional components for bipolar and monopolar functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the deployment pathway into multiple segmented channels within the tube guides. Each channel is specifically configured to receive and guide a particular deployment shaft, separating the deployment paths of different components. This segmentation prevents interference between components while efficiently organizing them within the constrained shaft space.
3Device complexity
If combined deployment structures are used to reduce the number of separate structures, then the device complexity is reduced, but the functional constraints and interference between components are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the deployment structure into multiple independent channels within the tube guides, with each channel dedicated to a specific deployment shaft. This segmentation ensures that each functional component can be deployed independently through its own dedicated pathway, preventing interference between components while maintaining a unified integrated structure that reduces overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different channel configurations in different regions of the tube guides. Each channel is specifically designed with appropriate dimensions, orientations, and features tailored to the specific deployment shaft it accommodates. This localized optimization ensures functional independence and reliability for each component while maintaining structural integration.
Data Source
AI summary
An inner guide assembly and surgical instrument including the same wherein the inner guide assembly includes a proximal tube guide defining first and second proximal channels extending longitudinally therealong, a distal tube guide defining first and second distal channels extending longitudinally therealong and disposed in alignment with the first and second proximal channels, respectively, and a wire clip disposed between the proximal and distal tube guides and defining a central channel having a first portion and a second portion. The first proximal channel, the first distal channel, and the first portion of the central channel are configured to cooperate to receive a first elongated component of a surgical instrument longitudinally therethrough. The second proximal channel, the second distal channel, and the second portion of the central channel are configured to cooperate to receive first and second lead wires of the surgical instrument longitudinally therethrough.