Surgical Instrument Articulating Portion Material Modulus

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments with articulating portions often lack desired stiffness, leading to unpredictable articulation and increased complexity, which can result in unintentional movement during procedures and higher manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The use of monolithic articulating portions formed from materials with differing moduli of elasticity, such as a stiff inner component and a flexible outer component, which can be extruded to provide rigidity and allow for controlled elastic deformation, reducing the risk of tissue entrapment and fluid ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If segmented articulating portions are used to allow articulation, then the instrument can access tissue at various angles, but the stiffness under compressive axial loads decreases leading to undesirable articulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation capabilityVSAvoidstiffness under compressive load

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating portion is divided into multiple segmented sections that can articulate relative to one another. Each segment contains articulation elements that allow controlled movement while maintaining overall structural integrity and stiffness under compressive loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulating portion uses composite construction with rigid segments connected by controlled articulation mechanisms. This composite structure provides both the necessary articulation capability and the required stiffness to resist unwanted movement during surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If segmented articulating portions with multiple degrees of freedom are used, then articulation flexibility increases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation flexibilityVSAvoidarticulating portion complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The articulating portion is divided into multiple segmented sections that can articulate relative to one another. Each segment contains articulation elements that allow controlled movement while maintaining overall structural integrity and stiffness under compressive loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Articulation freedom is localized to specific articulation elements at segment interfaces, while the majority of each segment maintains rigid properties. This allows controlled articulation where needed while preserving overall structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If relief slots or openings are formed on the outer surface of the articulating portion, then articulation is aided, but tissue and debris entrapment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation easeVSAvoidtissue entrapment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer surface of the articulating portion uses a smooth, continuous shell structure without relief slots or openings. This flexible yet intact surface allows articulation movement while preventing tissue and debris from becoming trapped in surface features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If relief slots or openings are formed on the outer surface of the articulating portion, then articulation is aided, but fluid ingress into the instrument increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticulation easeVSAvoidfluid sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer surface of the articulating portion uses a smooth, continuous shell structure without relief slots or openings. This flexible yet intact surface allows articulation movement while preventing tissue and debris from becoming trapped in surface features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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

This design enhances resistance to unintended articulation, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, while maintaining the ability to articulate effectively, thus improving the performance and usability of surgical instruments.

Implementation Method 1

an inner component formed of a first material and an outer component formed of a second material... The first material and the second material can have differing moduli of elasticity such that the materials together form an articulating portion that is substantially rigid and straight but can be elastically bent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10646270B2Surgical instrument with articulating portion

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 ETHICON INC

AI summary

Surgical instruments having articulating portions or joints are described herein. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument can include a distal end effector, a proximal actuating portion, and an articulating portion disposed between the end effector and the actuating portion. The articulating portion can include an inner component formed of a first material and an outer component formed of a second material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material is higher than a modulus of elasticity of the second material. Such an instrument can be less complex and less expensive than known articulation mechanisms while providing similar capabilities.