Surgical Stapler End Effector Articulation with Shifted Rotate Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered surgical stapling devices with end effector articulation and rotation mechanisms are complex and expensive due to the need for decoupling rotary motor output from linear moving shaft components, requiring a simpler and more reliable design.
Innovation Solution
A powered surgical stapling device with an adapter assembly that includes an outer tube, a shifter mechanism, and an articulation gear, where a shifter shaft moves between rotate and articulate positions to control the rotation and articulation of the end effector, using a shifter gear to prevent or allow rotation of the outer tube based on the shifter mechanism's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the surgical stapling device is designed to be compact and minimally invasive, then the device size is reduced and patient trauma is minimized, but the device lacks the articulation capability to access certain anatomical locations
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector is designed with articulation capability that allows it to change its orientation relative to the shaft, transitioning between locked and unlocked angular positions. This dynamic adjustment enables the compact device to access difficult anatomical locations while maintaining a small overall size when not articulated.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation mechanism introduces an additional degree of freedom by enabling angular movement between the end effector and shaft. This dimensional change allows the device to reach anatomical locations that would otherwise be inaccessible to a linear, non-articulated compact stapler.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector is designed with articulation capability to access difficult locations, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct segments including the shaft, end effector, and articulation mechanism components. This segmentation allows the articulation capability to be added as a modular feature rather than requiring complete redesign of the entire device, thereby managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
An articulation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the shaft and end effector, providing the necessary angular movement while isolating the complexity of the articulation control from both the shaft and end effector components. This mediator approach simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Device complexity
If the end effector remains stationary relative to the shaft, then device simplicity is maintained, but the device cannot adapt to different anatomical configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector incorporates a articulation mechanism that allows it to dynamically change its angular position relative to the shaft, enabling adaptation to different anatomical configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall device design through controlled movement rather than complex reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
A powered stapling device includes an adapter assembly that includes an outer tube, a shifter mechanism, an articulation gear, and a rotate gear. The rotate gear is secured to the outer tube such that rotation of the rotate gear causes rotation of the outer tube. The shifter mechanism includes a shifter shaft that supports a shifter gear. The shifter shaft is movable to move the shifter gear between a rotate position in which rotation of the articulation gear causes rotation of the rotate gear and the outer tube and an articulate position in which the shifter gear prevents or locks rotation of the rotate gear and the outer tube.