Offset Shaft Surgical Instrument for Single-Port Dexterity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical instruments face interference issues when used together in small spaces, such as during laparoscopic procedures through a single or limited number of access ports, restricting movement and dexterity, and causing fatigue due to crowding and limited access.
Innovation Solution
Design of surgical instruments with a longitudinal shaft having proximal and distal end portions, where the distal end effector is laterally offset or arcuately curved, and the handle is angled to reduce interference, allowing greater freedom of movement and ergonomically advantageous positioning, enabling simultaneous use of multiple instruments through a single access port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional surgical instruments with rigid shafts and in-line handles are used, then structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but instrument interference and limited dexterity occur when multiple instruments are used through a single access port
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by offsetting the handle from the longitudinal axis of the shaft and configuring the distal end effector to be laterally offset or arcuately curved. This creates a multi-dimensional spatial arrangement where the handle and effector operate in different planes, allowing multiple instruments to be maneuvered independently through a single access port without interference, thereby improving dexterity while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by positioning the handle at an offset from the shaft's longitudinal axis rather than in-line, and configuring the distal end effector with lateral offset or curvature. This asymmetric configuration allows the instrument to achieve greater freedom of movement and reduces crowding effects when multiple instruments are used simultaneously, enhancing operational ease without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple instruments are inserted through a single access port, then patient trauma is reduced, but instrument interference and crowding increase
Solution Approach 1:
By offsetting the handle from the shaft axis and configuring the distal effector with lateral offset or curvature, the patent creates multi-dimensional separation between multiple instruments inserted through a single access port. This allows each instrument to operate in its own spatial plane, reducing interference and crowding while maintaining the benefit of single-port insertion that minimizes patient trauma.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the instrument structure into distinct spatial zones: the handle operates in a proximal plane offset from the shaft axis, while the distal effector operates in a separate distal plane with lateral offset or curvature. This segmentation allows multiple instruments to be independently maneuvered through a single access port without mutual interference, reducing patient trauma while maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If traditional in-line handle configuration is used, then device complexity is minimized, but surgeon fatigue increases due to crowding and limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the handle from the longitudinal axis of the shaft into an offset position in a different spatial plane. This dimensional change provides the surgeon with better ergonomic access and reduces crowding at the access port, improving comfort and reducing fatigue while maintaining relatively simple device construction.
Solution Approach 2:
By configuring the handle asymmetrically offset from the shaft's longitudinal axis rather than in-line, the patent improves surgeon ergonomics and reduces crowding effects during multi-instrument procedures. This asymmetric handle configuration enhances surgeon comfort and control without significantly increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument adapted and configured for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a shaft, an end effector and a proximal handle. The longitudinal shaft has proximal and distal end portions, and defines a longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument. The distal end effector is connected to the distal end portion of the shaft, and is adapted and configured for performing a surgical task. The proximal handle portion is operably connected to the proximal end portion of the longitudinal shaft and has an actuatable portion operably connected to the end effector to result in movement of the end effector. The distal end portion of the shaft can be laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft and/or have one or more bends or curves formed therein. The proximal portion of the shaft can include at least one bend to allow for comfortable positioning of a surgeon's hands.