Push-Push Locking Mechanism for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments with push-push locking mechanisms for minimally invasive surgery lack efficient and reliable designs that allow for easy actuation and secure locking, often requiring complex geometries and additional components.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument featuring a push-push locking mechanism with a latch and locking piece that engages and disengages via a short movement, utilizing a lever mechanism and return spring for actuation and locking, allowing for reliable actuation and automatic return to the non-actuated position, with optional features like multiple latches for adjustable locking positions and an unlocking device for manual control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a push-push locking mechanism is used to hold the surgical instrument in an actuated position, then reliability of locking is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components like latches, locking pieces, and return springs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the latch and locking piece into a single integrated component that performs both functions. The latch element serves as both the locking component and the releasing component, eliminating the need for separate latch and locking piece parts. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the push-push locking functionality and reliability.
2Reliability
If a push-push locking mechanism with multiple components is implemented, then locking security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring precise coordination of multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the return spring automatically returns the latch to its locking position after actuation, and the push-push geometry automatically positions the latch for engagement. The system self-regulates without requiring the operator to manually coordinate multiple components, improving ease of operation while maintaining locking security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional locking mechanism by having the latch be pushed into the locking piece rather than the locking piece being pulled onto the latch. This inversion simplifies the actuation motion to a single pushing direction while maintaining secure locking, making the mechanism easier to operate.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional locking mechanisms are used in surgical instruments, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to limited adjustment options for locking positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the locking mechanism into modular components (latch, locking piece, return spring) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled. This segmentation allows for easy manufacturing of individual parts while enabling adaptability through configuration changes during assembly, such as adjusting the position of the locking piece relative to the latch to create different locking positions.
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 design provides a reliable and efficient means to hold the instrument in an actuated position while allowing easy release, enhancing usability and adaptability in minimally invasive procedures with reduced complexity and component count.
Implementation Method 1
A restoring spring is tensioned independently of the direction of deflection and acts on the deflected latch against its deflection back into a non-deflected basic position.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical instrument (1) with two V-shaped, projecting, and pivotable handles (10) for its operation and a push-push locking mechanism (15) for actuating the instrument (1). The invention proposes arranging a latch (14) of the push-push locking mechanism (15) on a lever (18) pivotable transversely to a plane of movement of the handles (10) and supporting it stably against opening by means of a stop (21). A straight spring wire is arranged parallel to the lever (18) as a return spring (20).