Surgical Clip Applicator With Independent Trigger Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical clip applicators lack simplicity and efficiency in applying surgical clips to wound sites during laparoscopic procedures, which can increase surgical time and risk of post-operative infection.

Innovation Solution

A surgical-clip applicator with a frame assembly, surgical-clip opening assembly, closing assembly, and ejection assembly, featuring a hand-gun style design with independent activation of clip-opening, clip-closing, and clip-ejection mechanisms to facilitate precise and efficient application of surgical clips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional surgical clip applicators are used, then surgical clips can be applied to wound sites, but the application process lacks simplicity and efficiency, increasing surgical time and risk of post-operative infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure timeVSAvoidclip application simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator is divided into distinct functional assemblies: a frame assembly, a surgical-clip opening assembly with independent trigger, a closing assembly with separate trigger, and an ejection assembly with its own trigger. This segmentation allows each function (opening, closing, ejection) to be independently activated and optimized, improving both surgical efficiency and operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical clip is pre-loaded into the applicator tube before the surgical procedure. The opening jaw is pre-configured to receive the clip, and all necessary components are prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex intra-procedural assembly, thereby reducing surgical time and simplifying the application process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If traditional surgical clip applicators are used, then clips can be applied to tissue, but the process is time-consuming and increases risk of post-operative infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-operative infection riskVSAvoidsurgical procedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical clip is pre-loaded into the applicator tube before the surgical procedure begins. All components including the opening jaw, closing beam, and ejection mechanism are pre-positioned and ready for immediate use. This eliminates prolonged exposure of surgical sites to potential contaminants and reduces overall procedure time, thereby lowering infection risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator enables rapid sequential activation of functions: the opening trigger quickly deploys the jaw, the closing trigger rapidly secures the clip, and the ejection trigger swiftly removes the applicator. This rapid execution minimizes the time surgical wounds remain exposed, reducing infection risk while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Productivity

If a surgical-clip applicator with independent activation mechanisms is used, then precise and efficient clip application is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclip application efficiencyVSAvoidapplicator structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator is divided into distinct functional assemblies: a frame assembly, a surgical-clip opening assembly with independent trigger, a closing assembly with separate trigger, and an ejection assembly with its own trigger. This segmentation allows each function to be independently activated and optimized, improving surgical efficiency while organizing complexity into manageable, modular components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The frame assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for all other components, houses the applicator tube, and integrates the triggering mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural elements, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining precise and efficient clip application capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11147557B1Surgical clip applicator

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 ZSX MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

An applicator for applying a surgical clip to a patient's tissue has a frame assembly with an applicator tube having a distal end configured to releasably receive the surgical clip. The applicator has a surgical-clip opening assembly including a clip-opening trigger, a clip-opening rod disposed in the applicator tube and a clip-opening jaw. Activation of the clip-opening trigger displaces the clip-opening rod proximally opening the clip-opening jaw. A surgical-clip closing assembly has a clip-closing trigger, a clip-closing rod disposed in the applicator tube and a clip-closing beam. Activation of the clip-closing trigger displaces the clip-closing rod distally closing the clip-opening jaw. A surgical-clip ejection assembly has a clip ejection knob, a clip-ejection rod disposed in the applicator tube and a clip ejection beam. Activation of the clip-ejection knob ejects the surgical clip. The clip-opening trigger, clip-closing trigger and clip ejection knob are independently activatable.