Directional Return Stroke Damper for Surgical Instrument Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrosurgical devices lack effective mechanisms for dampening the return stroke of the closure trigger, leading to inefficient tissue grasping and cutting due to excessive force and lack of control.
Innovation Solution
The surgical instrument incorporates a directional return stroke damper coupled to the yoke, which provides a dampening force during the return stroke of the closure trigger, reducing the force required for opening the jaws and assisting in compression, thereby enhancing control and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If no dampening mechanism is provided for the closure trigger return stroke, then the device structure remains simple, but excessive force is generated during jaw opening leading to inefficient tissue grasping and cutting
Solution Approach 1:
A directional return stroke damper is introduced as an intermediary component between the closure trigger and the jaw assembly. This damper selectively provides dampening force during the return stroke (jaw opening) while allowing free movement during jaw closing, thus controlling excessive force without significantly complicating the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The damper mechanism changes the mechanical parameters (force characteristics) of the closure trigger system dynamically. During return stroke, the damper increases resistance to control jaw opening speed and force; during forward stroke, it remains non-intrusive. This parameter change allows efficient tissue grasping and cutting without requiring a completely different mechanism.
2Productivity
If a directional return stroke damper is added to provide dampening force during return stroke, then control and efficiency of tissue grasping and cutting is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the closure trigger, the directional return stroke damper, and the jaw assembly. This segmentation allows the damper to be added as a modular component that provides specific dampening functionality without requiring redesign of the entire closure mechanism, thus improving productivity with minimal increase in overall complexity.
3Speed
If excessive force is applied during jaw opening, then the closure spring can quickly reset the jaws, but control over tissue grasping and cutting is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The directional return stroke damper introduces dynamic control to the jaw opening process. Rather than allowing uncontrolled rapid opening, the damper provides progressive resistance that can be modulated based on the return stroke velocity and position. This dynamic dampening maintains appropriate control during tissue grasping and cutting while still allowing efficient jaw resetting.
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 directional return stroke damper reduces the force needed for jaw opening, provides assistance during compression, and improves the overall control and efficiency of tissue grasping and cutting, enhancing the surgical instrument's performance.
Implementation Method 1
A directional return stroke damper is coupled to the yoke. The directional return stroke damper is configured to provide a dampening force to longitudinal movement of the yoke in a second direction.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a surgical instrument comprising a handle assembly, a shaft assembly, and an end effector are disclosed. In one embodiment, the handle assembly comprises a closure trigger and a yoke coupled to the closure trigger. Actuation of the closure trigger drives the yoke longitudinally in a first direction. A closure spring is coupled to the yoke. Longitudinal movement of the yoke in the first direction compresses the closure spring. A directional return stroke damper is coupled to the yoke. The directional return stroke damper is configured to provide a dampening force to longitudinal movement of the yoke in a second direction. A shaft assembly comprising a proximal end and a distal end is coupled to the handle. An end effector comprising a first jaw member and a second jaw member is coupled to the distal end of the shaft assembly.