Surgical Clip Pushing Mechanism for Accurate Stepwise Clip Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clip pushing mechanisms for surgical clip applicators have complex structures and inaccurately position clips, leading to inefficient operation and misalignment during clipping.
Innovation Solution
A clip pushing mechanism with a simple structure that includes a clip holder bar, clip feeding ladder member, and a clip pusher, utilizing a baffle and one-way stopper to ensure accurate positioning of clips by pushing them to a forward step position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional clip pushing mechanisms use two different driving members to push clips from top to end, then clips can be squeezed to shorten pitch between adjacent clips, but the structure becomes complicated and clip positioning becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The clip pushing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a front pusher for advancing the leading clip, a rear pusher for pushing driven portions of the ladder member, and a ladder member with multiple driven portions. Each segment performs a specific function, allowing independent optimization of clip positioning accuracy while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder member acts as an intermediary between the rear pusher and the clips. The driven portions of the ladder member transfer the pushing force from the rear pusher to the clips in a controlled manner, ensuring accurate clip positioning without requiring direct contact between the rear pusher and clips, thus simplifying the overall structure.
2Productivity
If conventional clip pushing mechanisms use two different driving members, then clips can be advanced, but the operation becomes less efficient and clips may be inaccurately pushed forward
Solution Approach 1:
The front pusher and rear pusher are merged into a single integrated clip pusher assembly that operates in coordination. The front pusher and rear pusher work together through the ladder member to advance clips efficiently, reducing the number of independent driving members needed and improving operational efficiency while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ladder member with its driven portions is pre-configured to engage with clips before the pushing action begins. This preliminary arrangement ensures that clips are properly positioned and guided during advancement, improving operational efficiency by preventing misalignment and reducing the need for corrective adjustments.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional mechanisms push clips from top to end, then clips can be squeezed to shorten pitch, but the leading clip cannot be accurately positioned for clipping
Solution Approach 1:
The front pusher is specifically designed with a geometry that matches the leading clip's shape, providing localized contact at the correct position. This local quality ensures that the leading clip is pushed accurately without affecting the positioning of subsequent clips, thereby improving leading clip positioning accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clip pushing mechanism used in a surgical clip applicator for loading and pushing clips that are arranged in series with a clip pitch defined between each two adjacent said clips is disclosed to include a clip holder bar including an accommodation channel for accommodating the clip in a series, a clip feeding ladder member including a clip pushing portion and a plurality of driven portions spaced along the length thereof with a pitch defined between each two adjacent driven portions, and a clip pusher including a body, a front pusher for pushing the leading clip and a rear pusher for pushing each driven portion of the clip feeding ladder member.