Surgical Adapter Assembly Drive Train Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Redesigning hand-held laparoscopic surgical instruments to be compatible with powered drive systems while maintaining functionality and reliability is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A surgical adapter assembly that includes a frame, a proximal assembly, and a drive train, allowing for the interconnection of a powered surgical system with a manually-operable surgical instrument, utilizing drive members, pulleys, lead screws, belts, and carriages to enable motor-actuated movement of instrument handles and triggers, and a clamp gear assembly for rotating elongated portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hand-held surgical instruments are redesigned to be compatible with powered drive systems, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component that couples the powered drive system to the manually-operable surgical instrument. The adapter includes a proximal assembly that interfaces with the powered system and a distal assembly that interfaces with the instrument, containing drive trains with pulleys, belts, and lead screws to transmit motion without requiring redesign of the original instrument
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a proximal assembly for interfacing with the powered drive system, a distal assembly for interfacing with the surgical instrument, and intermediate drive train components. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while maintaining overall compatibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If drive train components are added to enable motor actuation, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical operation of surgical instruments is replaced with motor-actuated operation through the drive train system. Motors in the proximal assembly drive pulleys and lead screws that automatically produce the mechanical movements previously requiring manual manipulation, enabling motor-actuated movement of instrument components
Solution Approach 2:
The drive train components (pulleys, belts, lead screws) serve multiple functions: transmitting rotational motion from motors, converting it to linear motion for actuation, and providing mechanical advantage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, managing complexity while enabling motor actuation
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
Enables the powered surgical system to operate manually-operable surgical instruments by actuating handles, triggers, and rotating elongated portions, enhancing compatibility and functionality with existing robotic surgical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first lead screw, a second pulley positioned on the first lead screw
Implementation Method 2
a first belt engaged with the first pulley and the second pulley
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical adapter assembly is configured to interconnect an interface of a powered surgical system with a manually-operable surgical instrument. The surgical adapter assembly includes a frame, a proximal assembly, and a drive train assembly. A first drive member of the proximal assembly is configured to selectively engage a first motor of the interface. The drive train assembly includes a first pulley positioned on the first drive member, a first lead screw, a second pulley positioned on the first lead screw, a first belt engaged with the first pulley and the second pulley, and a first carriage threadedly engaged with the first lead screw. Actuation of the first motor of the interface results in longitudinal movement of the first carriage.