Stepped Pivot Pin for Surgical Jaw Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments face challenges in achieving consistent staple formation due to misalignment of anvil and cartridge assemblies during tissue joining procedures.
Innovation Solution
A loading unit assembly with a pivot pin that pivotably couples jaw members, featuring stepped portions and a threaded base portion to ensure precise alignment and secure engagement of the anvil and cartridge assemblies, allowing for controlled pivoting and improved torque settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple pivot connection is used to join jaw members, then device complexity is reduced, but alignment precision between anvil and cartridge assemblies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot pin is divided into multiple functional segments: a threaded portion for engagement with the anvil assembly, a stepped portion for positioning, and a head portion for operation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring precise alignment while maintaining reasonable structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot pin extends in multiple dimensions with different diameters at different locations (stepped configuration). The first diameter at the threaded portion and the second diameter at the stepped portion create dimensional variation that enables both secure engagement and precise positioning, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision
2Reliability
If a threaded pivot pin is used to ensure secure engagement, then reliability of jaw member coupling is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot pin combines multiple functions into a single component: threaded engagement for secure coupling, stepped portions for positioning and alignment, and a head for operational manipulation. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning elements and adjustment mechanisms, improving reliability while controlling manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot pin serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector, an alignment reference, and a positioning element. The threaded portion provides secure engagement while the stepped portions provide precise positioning, making the single component universal and reducing the need for additional parts
3Manufacturing precision
If stepped portions are added to the pivot pin for precise positioning, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot pin has different diameters at different locations, creating localized zones with specific properties. The threaded portion provides engagement, the stepped portion provides positioning, and the head provides operation. This local quality variation achieves precise alignment without requiring a completely complex structure throughout the entire component
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 solution enables more consistent staple formation and improved alignment of anvil and cartridge assemblies, resulting in enhanced surgical precision and reliability during tissue joining procedures.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the base portion may include threads
Data Source
AI summary
A loading unit assembly includes a tool assembly having first and second jaw members and a pivot pin configured to pivotably couple the first and second jaw members. The first jaw member is movable with respect to the second jaw member between spaced and approximated positions, wherein the pivot pin includes a base portion and first and second stepped portions extending radially outward from the base portion. The first and second stepped portions are configured to pivotably engage the first and second jaw members, respectively.