Surgical Stapler Articulation Mechanism for Precise Head Assembly Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulation mechanisms in surgical staplers have complex structures, making it difficult to adjust the angle of rotation accurately, which can lead to uncontrollable rotation and inaccurate positioning of the head assembly during surgery.
Innovation Solution
The articulation mechanism includes a gear assembly with a driving gear and driven gears, and articulation rods connected to articulation pieces, allowing for simple and convenient rotation of the head assembly relative to the instrument platform by gear engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex articulation mechanism is used to enable head assembly rotation, then the head assembly can be adjusted to various angles, but the structure becomes complex and the rotation angle becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional complex mechanical articulation mechanism with a magnetic field-based control system. The magnetic drive assembly uses a magnetic field to control the rotation of the head assembly, eliminating the need for complex mechanical gears, linkages, and friction-based components. This substitution of magnetic field control for mechanical systems directly resolves the contradiction by simplifying the structure while maintaining angle adjustment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical force and friction to magnetic field strength and direction. By using magnetic fields with different intensities and orientations, the system can precisely control the rotation angle of the head assembly without the structural complexity of traditional mechanical systems. This parameter change enables accurate angle control while simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If traditional articulation mechanism is used, then the head assembly can rotate, but the rotation becomes uncontrollable and positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces friction-based mechanical control with magnetic field control. The magnetic drive assembly provides precise, controllable, and reversible rotation of the head assembly through magnetic field application. This eliminates the uncontrollable rotation and positioning errors inherent in traditional mechanical systems, simultaneously improving ease of operation and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the actual position of the head assembly and adjust the magnetic field accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures accurate positioning by continuously monitoring and correcting the rotation angle, resolving the issue of uncontrollable rotation and improving positioning precision while maintaining ease of operation.
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
This solution enables precise adjustment of the angle of rotation of the head assembly, improving the accuracy and stability of the surgical stapler, thereby enhancing the surgical outcome.
Implementation Method 1
the driven gear includes a second teeth portion configured to be engaged with the first teeth portion... when the driven gear rotates, the driven gear drives the articulation piece mating portion of the articulation rod to move in an axial direction of the stapler
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an articulation mechanism and a surgical stapler. The articulation mechanism includes: a gear assembly including a driving gear and at least one driven gear. The driving gear includes a first teeth portion, and the driven gear includes a second teeth portion engaged with the first teeth portion and a first mating portion; at least one articulation rod including a second mating portion and an articulation piece mating portion cooperated with the first mating portion, so that when the driven gear rotates, the driven gear drives the articulation piece mating portion of the articulation rod to move axially; at least one articulation piece extending axially and connected to the articulation piece mating portion. The mechanism can drive the head assembly to rotate relative to the instrument body of the stapler.