Surgical Clip Spring System for Increased Closing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical clips used for treating aneurysms face challenges such as inefficient manufacturing, potential for over-winding leading to failures, difficulty in adjusting closing force, and obstructed views during application due to wide construction size, with insufficient closing force being a significant concern.
Innovation Solution
The use of an additional spring in conjunction with a main biasing spring to increase closing force without modifying the existing design or material, allowing for adaptive retrofitting and precise force adjustment through the arrangement and configuration of the springs, including yoke, bending beam, or leaf spring types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a single main biasing spring is used in existing surgical clips, then the device structure remains simple, but the closing force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a main biasing spring with an additional biasing spring to create a composite spring system. The main spring provides the primary closing force while the additional spring reinforces and supplements this force, particularly in the critical closing phase. This merging of spring functions achieves higher closing force without requiring a complete redesign of the entire clip structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring system is segmented into distinct functional components: a main biasing spring that operates throughout the cycle and an additional biasing spring that activates specifically during the closing phase. This segmentation allows each spring to be optimized for its specific function, with the additional spring providing extra force only when needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary complexity during opening and retention phases.
2Force
If the spring is wound more to increase closing force, then the closing force increases, but the risk of over-winding and spring failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system is segmented into a main spring and an additional spring, allowing the closing force to be distributed across two separate elastic elements. This segmentation prevents any single spring from being over-wound or overloaded, as each spring operates within a safer force range. The additional spring acts as a backup that activates only when the main spring's force is insufficient, reducing the risk of spring failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional biasing spring serves as a preemptive cushioning element that activates before spring failure can occur. By having this extra spring ready to engage, the system prevents excessive force accumulation in any single spring, thereby avoiding over-winding and associated failures before they can happen.
3Force
If the clip construction size is increased to provide sufficient closing force, then the closing force increases, but the view during application becomes obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system is segmented into a main spring and an additional spring, allowing the required closing force to be achieved through combined elastic deformation rather than requiring a larger overall clip structure. This segmentation enables sufficient force generation within a compact design, maintaining good visibility during application while providing the necessary closing force through the coordinated action of two springs.
4Force
If the spring winding is increased to provide sufficient closing force, then the closing force increases, but the manufacturing efficiency decreases due to complex winding processes
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system is segmented into a main spring and an additional spring, allowing each spring to be manufactured with simpler, more standardized winding processes. Rather than creating one complex, heavily-wound spring, the design uses two moderately-wound springs that can be produced more efficiently. The additional spring can even be a simpler element that reinforces the main spring's action, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity.
5Force
If the spring is made more resilient to provide sufficient closing force, then the closing force increases, but the material stress increases leading to potential failures
Solution Approach 1:
The spring system is segmented into a main spring and an additional spring, distributing the mechanical stress across two separate elastic elements. This segmentation reduces the stress concentration in any single spring, allowing the material to operate within safer stress limits while still achieving the required closing force through the combined action of both springs.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional biasing spring acts as a stress-distributing element that prevents excessive stress accumulation in the main spring. By having this supplementary spring ready, the system cushions against material failure by spreading the load, thereby reducing peak stress levels that could lead to material fatigue or failure.
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 solution provides a surgical clip with enhanced closing force, reduced material stress, and a narrower design, enabling efficient machine manufacturing while allowing for precise force adjustment and minimizing the risk of spring overload, thus improving the effectiveness and usability of the clip.
Implementation Method 1
linked to each other via a connecting piece (spring element) which applies a closing force forcing the two clamping legs/clamping jaws towards each other
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical clip includes a first clamping leg and a second clamping leg, the two clamping legs, when in use, being movable towards each other such that they squeeze a blood vessel shut and are linked to each other via a connecting piece which applies a closing force forcing the two clamping jaws towards each other, with two additional springs being provided in addition to the connecting piece which functions as the main spring and amplifying the closing force, the additional springs being arranged in parallel to the main spring and acting in opposite directions.