Surgical Instrument Coupling Device for Precise Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical instruments face challenges with limited freedom of movement due to the transition through the skin and fat tissue, requiring additional intracorporeal degrees of freedom that are difficult to achieve with manual operation, and existing coupling devices for separating the extracorporeal drive part from the intracorporeal manipulator part are complex, expensive, and prone to high losses and play, making precise force transmission difficult.
Innovation Solution
A surgical manipulation instrument with axially displaceable actuating elements connected via a coupling device featuring a first coupling element with an undercut bulge and a second coupling element with pivotable coupling arms, allowing for a simple and secure detachable connection without the need for precise alignment, reducing the complexity of the coupling process and minimizing play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a coupling device with rotatable coupling bodies and axial pins is used to connect the drive part to the manipulator part, then the connection can be made and broken, but the coupling requires precise alignment and complex searching for coupling positions, increasing coupling time and operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into two separate coupling elements: a first coupling element on the drive part and a second coupling element on the manipulator part. Each element has simple geometric features (undercut bulge and corresponding engagement feature) that enable straightforward connection without complex alignment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using rotatable coupling bodies that require finding a correct orientation through rotation, the invention uses an undercut bulge geometry where the connection is achieved by simple axial insertion. The undercut shape provides self-alignment and eliminates the need for rotational searching.
2Ease of operation
If play is provided between coupling bodies for smooth coupling, then the coupling process is easier, but the play adversely affects manipulator operation and may make automatic control impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements use curved undercut bulge geometry that guides the engagement process. The curved shape allows smooth insertion while maintaining precise contact between the first and second coupling elements, eliminating play without requiring complex alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional coupling devices are used to connect axially displaceable actuating elements, then connection is possible, but the devices are complex and expensive, and force transmission suffers from high losses and play
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential coupling function from complex conventional devices. By using simple undercut bulge geometry on both coupling elements, it achieves reliable force transmission without the additional mechanisms that cause play and energy loss in conventional devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical manipulation instrument which is particularly suitable for minimal invasive surgery, comprising an extra-corporeal drive device (10) and a partial intra-corporeal manipulator part (16). Said drive device comprises several axially displaceble first actuation elements (12). The first actuation elements (12) are detachably connected to axially displaceable second actuation elements (24), by means of a coupling device (23), said second actuation elements being used to actuate an end effector (22). Said coupling device (23) comprises two coupling elements (26,30), one of said coupling elements having rear section indentations (28) in which the second coupling element (30) engages.