Surgical Stapling Instrument Actuator Knob Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapling instruments face challenges in efficiently stapling and cutting tissues due to limitations in actuator knob design, which can lead to accidental contact with surrounding tissue during operation.
Innovation Solution
The surgical stapling instrument features a dual actuator knob system that can be selectively engaged with a pusher bar assembly, allowing one knob to remain retracted if it may impinge on tissue, while the other advances the pusher bar distally, and includes a guide member with interlocking features to dictate the path of the knobs and prevent unintentional displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single actuator knob is used to advance the pusher bar, then the device is simple to operate, but the risk of accidental contact with surrounding tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single actuator knob is divided into two separate actuator knobs. Each knob can be independently engaged with the pusher bar assembly, allowing one knob to remain retracted while the other advances the pusher bar distally. This segmentation reduces the risk of accidental tissue contact by providing separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator knobs are designed to be selectively engaged and disengaged from the pusher bar assembly. The dynamic engagement mechanism allows the surgeon to choose which knob is active during operation, enabling flexible control and reducing the risk of unintended activation or tissue contact.
2Ease of operation
If the actuator knob is allowed to move freely, then the ease of operation is improved, but the precision of the stapling and cutting operations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A guide member with interlocking features is introduced as an intermediary between the actuator knobs and the pusher bar assembly. This guide member dictates the path of the actuator knobs, ensuring they move along a predetermined trajectory. The interlocking features maintain precise alignment and positioning, ensuring accurate stapling and cutting operations while still allowing smooth knob movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical stapling instrument including an actuator knob which can be moved from one side of the stapling instrument to another side in order to reposition the actuator knob without having to reposition the stapling instrument within a surgical site. A stapling instrument can include a pusher bar, a housing having a first side and a second side, and an actuator knob rotatably mounted to the pusher bar wherein the actuator knob can be configured to be rotated between a first position in which the actuator knob can be moved along the first side of the housing and a second position where the actuator knob can be moved along a second side of the housing. Alternatively, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise one or more actuator knobs which can be operably engaged and disengaged with a pusher bar in order to selectively utilize the actuator knobs.