Endoscopic Retractor Peg-and-Slot Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic retractors require significant force to couple and uncouple, posing a risk of injury and are difficult to clean due to spring-based locking mechanisms, which can lead to operating errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A retractor design featuring a peg-and-slot connection and a slide mechanism that allows for easy coupling and uncoupling without overcoming locking forces, using a slide to create a secure lock for the retraction structure, and incorporating a securing pin with a mushroom-shaped head for enhanced safety and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring pressure piece is used for locking, then the retraction structure can be secured in position, but considerable force is required for coupling and uncoupling, posing a high risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the spring pressure piece from the system and replaces it with a simple locking pin that can be manually inserted and removed without overcoming spring forces. The locking pin engages with a locking hole in the shaft, providing secure positioning while requiring minimal force for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily discarded or replaced if lost or damaged. This simple design reduces the risk of injury compared to complex spring mechanisms, and the pin can be quickly replaced during procedures without requiring specialized tools or excessive force.
2Reliability
If a spring pressure piece is used for locking, then the retraction structure can be secured, but the spring pressure piece can only be cleaned and disinfected with great effort
Solution Approach 1:
The spring pressure piece is completely removed from the design and replaced with a simple locking pin and locking hole mechanism. This eliminates the complex internal spring structure that made cleaning difficult, allowing the shaft and locking components to be easily disassembled, cleaned, and disinfected using standard medical sterilization procedures.
3Ease of operation
If an operator applies pressure to overcome the spring pressure piece, then coupling can be achieved, but the operator can always slip when applying pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring pressure piece that caused the slipping hazard is removed entirely. The locking pin is designed to be inserted into a locking hole with minimal force required, eliminating the need for operators to apply significant pressure that could cause slipping and injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking hole acts as an intermediary structure that guides and receives the locking pin, ensuring proper alignment and engagement. This intermediary feature allows the pin to be inserted smoothly without requiring the operator to overcome spring resistance, thereby eliminating the slipping hazard.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractor for endoscopic surgery, having a first shaft portion, in which an actuation device is movable, and a second shaft portion coupled pivotably thereon. A transmission arm is articulated on a distal end of the actuation device. A retraction structure is connected to a distal end of the second shaft portion, which retraction structure can be releasably coupled, with its other end, to the second shaft portion via a coupling device. The coupling device has a slide, which is guided in the second shaft portion. The transmission arm is articulated on the second shaft portion by way of a peg-and-slot connection and is operatively coupled to the slide in order to move the latter longitudinally, wherein the coupling device can be transferred to a release state by longitudinal movement of the slide. An operating method for the retractor is also disclosed.