Segmented Pivotable Surgical Forceps Shaft Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hemostat-style surgical forceps with longer shaft members face challenges in achieving the required range of motion for opening and closing jaw members, making it difficult to grasp and treat tissue effectively in deep or confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
The design includes pivotable shaft members with angled configurations and locking mechanisms that reduce the distance between handles, allowing for easier opening and closing of jaw members, and the integration of energy-based cutting features for precise tissue treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If longer shaft members are used to reach target tissue in deep openings, then the ability to reach deep tissue is improved, but the range of motion required to open and close jaw members increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft member is divided into multiple segments (first shaft member and second shaft member) that can pivot relative to each other. This segmentation allows the shaft to achieve the necessary length for deep tissue access while each segment maintains a manageable range of motion, resolving the contradiction between shaft length and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft members are made dynamically pivotable relative to each other, allowing the configuration to change during operation. The first shaft member can pivot between a first position (for insertion) and a second position (for operation), enabling the system to adapt its effective length and angle to reduce the range of motion required at the jaw while maintaining deep access capability.
2Length of moving object
If longer shaft members are used to reach target tissue, then deep tissue accessibility is improved, but the distance between handles increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the shaft into pivotable sections, the overall length is achieved through configuration rather than a single long rigid structure. This allows the handles to be positioned closer together while the segmented shaft extends to reach deep tissue targets.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivoting capability of the shaft members allows the device to transition between a compact configuration (reducing handle distance) and an extended configuration (increasing reach). When the first shaft member pivots to its second position, it effectively shortens the projected distance between handles while maintaining the ability to reach deep tissue.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical forceps includes a first shaft member including a proximal portion having a handle at a proximal end thereof and a distal portion having a jaw member at a distal end thereof. The proximal and distal portions are pivotable between an aligned position and an angled position. A second shaft member includes a jaw member at a distal end thereof and a handle at a proximal end thereof. The shaft members are pivotable relative to one another between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for moving the jaw members relative to one another between an open position and a closed position to grasp tissue therebetween. The proximal portion of the first shaft member is pivoted relative to the distal portion of the first shaft member from the aligned position to the angled position upon movement of the first and second shaft members towards the spaced-apart position.