Surgical Stapler Articulation Linkage for High-Angle Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices face challenges in minimizing dead space in the tool assembly while allowing for greater degrees of articulation, which is crucial for accessing surgical sites through small incisions or cannulas during endoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
The surgical device incorporates an articulation mechanism with proximal and distal drive links and driven links that guide and support the drive assembly, enabling greater degrees of articulation by confining the flexible drive beam within a channel defined by the planar inner surfaces of these links, thus minimizing the likelihood of buckling and allowing for enhanced articulation angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanisms that allow for greater degrees of articulation are used, then articulation capability is improved, but dead space of the tool assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive beam is configured as a flexible, dynamic component that can bend and articulate through 70 degrees or more while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic flexibility allows the tool assembly to achieve greater articulation angles without requiring additional mechanical linkages that would increase dead space, directly resolving the contradiction between articulation capability and compact tool assembly volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drive assembly is allowed to move freely for greater articulation, then articulation range is improved, but stability of the drive beam deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cross-sectional geometry of the drive beam is specifically engineered with optimized dimensions and material properties that maintain structural stability while allowing controlled flexibility. The drive beam's parameters (thickness, width, material composition) are tuned to provide sufficient rigidity for stability during articulation movements of 70 degrees or more, preventing buckling while enabling the required range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive beam transitions from a rigid, static component to a dynamic, flexible element that can adapt its shape during articulation. This dynamic behavior allows the drive beam to maintain stability through controlled elastic deformation rather than requiring fixed mechanical supports that would limit articulation range.
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 articulation mechanism facilitates articulation angles of up to 70 degrees or more, reducing dead space and improving access to surgical sites without increasing the tool assembly length.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible drive beam has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The clamp member is supported on the distal portion of the flexible drive beam... The planar inner surfaces of the proximal drive link and the proximal driven link define a channel through which the flexible drive beam moves when the drive assembly is moved between the retracted and advanced positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device includes an elongate body defining a longitudinal axis and a tool assembly that is pivotally attached to the elongate body for articulation about an articulation axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. The surgical device includes an articulation mechanism and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is movable about the articulation axis to actuate the tool assembly. The articulation mechanism includes proximal and distal drive links and proximal and distal driven links. The links are configured to guide and support the drive assembly to facilitate greater degrees of articulation.