Surgical Device Anti-Binding Ball-and-Socket Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgical instruments often experience binding or jamming of components due to loading forces, which can prevent the cutting element from properly cutting tissue and hinder its return to the default position, potentially requiring invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device featuring a handle, end effector with movable jaws, a knife pusher shaft, and a rack coupled by a ball-and-socket joint, which allows the knife pusher shaft to pivot relative to the rack, preventing binding between the gear and rack, and enabling proper advancement and retraction of the cutting element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the shaft is made rigid to maintain structural stability, then structural stability is improved, but binding between components occurs when the shaft bends under loading forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a pivotable connection between the knife pusher shaft and the gear assembly. This allows the shaft to dynamically adjust its position relative to the gear rack when subjected to bending forces, preventing binding while maintaining structural integrity. The pivotable joint enables the system to adapt to loading conditions without compromising the rigidity needed for precise cutting motion transmission.
2Productivity
If the cutting element is advanced deeply into tissue to achieve effective cutting, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but the risk of jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the intermediary principle by introducing a pivotable joint as a mediator between the knife pusher shaft and the gear assembly. This intermediary connection allows for relative motion that accommodates tissue resistance forces, preventing the cutting element from jamming while still enabling deep advancement into tissue for effective cutting. The pivotable joint acts as a buffer that absorbs shock and prevents force transmission that would cause binding.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but anti-binding features may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the knife pusher assembly into separable components: a knife pusher shaft and a gear assembly connected by a pivotable joint. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while introducing the anti-binding pivotable connection that prevents component binding during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and devices are provided for preventing binding between components of a drive assembly of a surgical device. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical device is provided having a ball-and-socket joint that allows bending of various drive shafts relative to the handle without causing movement of a drive rack disposed within the handle. Since the drive rack does not move in response to bending of the shaft, the drive gear and rack will remain aligned thus preventing jamming of the device.