Surgical Clip Applier With Third-Point Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clip appliers provide insufficient stability to surgical clips, leading to misalignment or dislodgment during surgical procedures, particularly in endoscopic surgeries due to two-point contact engagement.
Innovation Solution
A clip applier with a stabilizing member that engages the surgical clip longitudinally, providing a third point of contact and stabilizing the clip laterally and vertically, actuated by the jaw members or an actuating member, ensuring secure engagement and preventing movement during application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical clips are secured with two points of contact using opposing jaws, then the clip application process is simple, but the stability of the surgical clip is insufficient causing misalignment or dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing member adds a third point of contact in the longitudinal dimension, complementing the two lateral contact points from the opposing jaws. This transforms the engagement from a two-point lateral contact to a three-point contact system that includes longitudinal stabilization, preventing both lateral misalignment and longitudinal dislodgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip applier is segmented into distinct functional components: the opposing jaws for lateral engagement and the stabilizing member for longitudinal engagement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific stabilization function independently, collectively providing comprehensive three-point contact stability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a stabilizing member is added to provide a third point of contact, then the stability and precision of surgical clip application is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing member is integrated with the actuating mechanism through mechanical coupling. As the actuating member pivots the jaw members between open and closed configurations, the stabilizing member is simultaneously actuated through this coupling, merging the stabilization function with the existing actuation system rather than requiring a separate independent actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing member is configured to move automatically through its own mechanical linkage to the proximal position where it disengages from the surgical clip. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional actuators or complex control systems, as the stabilizing member's movement is driven by the same actuating force that operates the jaw members.
Data Source
AI summary
A clip applier may be configured to apply a surgical clip. The clip applier may include first and second jaw members configured to engage the surgical clip, an actuating member configured to pivot at least one of the first and second jaw members between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and a stabilizing member configured to engage the surgical clip. The stabilizing member may be configured to move longitudinally with respect to the clip applier from a distal position at least partially between the first and second jaw members to a proximal position at least partially between the first and second jaw members. Movement of the stabilizing member between the distal position and the proximal position may be actuated by at least one of the first jaw member, the second jaw member, and the actuating member.