Surgical Adapter Rotary to Linear Motion Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices with rotary motion-powered actuators are incompatible with surgical end effectors that require linear driving force, necessitating adapter assemblies to convert rotary motion into linear translation.
Innovation Solution
An adapter assembly with first and second drive converter assemblies that convert the rotation of powered actuator device drive shafts into axial translation of surgical end effector drive members, utilizing pinion and worm gear mechanisms to enable independent rotation and translation, and flexible drive rods for force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a powered actuator device with rotary motion is used, then automation and productivity are improved, but compatibility with surgical end effectors requiring linear driving force deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component between the powered actuator device and the surgical end effector. The adapter includes drive converter assemblies that receive rotary motion from the powered actuator's drive shafts and convert them into axial translation of drive members that interface with the end effector, thereby enabling compatibility between incompatible systems
Solution Approach 2:
The drive converter assemblies change the motion parameters from rotary (angular displacement) to linear (axial translation). This parameter transformation is achieved through mechanical conversion mechanisms that translate the rotational movement of the powered actuator into the linear movement required by the surgical end effector
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adapter assembly is introduced to convert rotary motion to linear motion, then compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly employs a nested structure where drive converter assemblies are arranged concentrically around a central axis. Multiple drive converters can be nested within each other, with inner drive converters positioned within outer drive converters, reducing the overall footprint and structural complexity while maintaining multiple independent drive channels
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is designed to be universally compatible with multiple types of surgical end effectors and powered actuators. The standardized interface and modular drive converter design allow the same adapter assembly to work with different end effector configurations, reducing the need for multiple specialized adapters
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 interconnection of surgical end effectors requiring linear driving force with powered actuator devices using rotary motion, facilitating efficient staple firing and tissue manipulation by converting rotary motion into linear motion effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The first drive rod supports a pinion gear portion, wherein the worm gear portion of the actuation shaft engages the pinion gear portion of the first drive rod, whereby rotation of the first drive shaft of the powered actuator device rotates the pinion gear portion of the first drive rod to effectuate axial translation of the actuation shaft
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter assembly for selectively interconnecting a surgical end effector including at least one axially translatable drive member and a powered actuator device including at least one rotatable drive shaft is provided. The adapter assembly includes an actuation shaft configured to convert rotation of a first drive shaft of the powered actuator device into an axial translation of a first drive member of the surgical end effector. The adapter assembly further includes an elongate tube configured to convert rotation of a second drive shaft of the powered actuator device into an axial translation of a second drive member of the surgical end effector. The actuation shaft is disposed within the elongate tube, and the actuation shaft and the elongate tube translate axially independent of each other.