Multifunctional Surgical Device with Reusable Handle and Disposable Loading Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices require multiple tools for different tasks, leading to increased procedure time, complexity, and cost due to the need for frequent sterilization and often malfunctioning reloadable mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional surgical device with a handle assembly and reversible disposable loading units, featuring actuation shafts and sleds that support various surgical tasks like stapling, clipping, dissecting, and incision, with a simplified mechanism for easy operation and low tolerance requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical tools are used for different tasks, then task versatility is improved, but procedure time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device integrates multiple surgical functions (clipping, stapling, dissecting, clamping, incision) into a single handle assembly that can accommodate different disposable loading units. The universal handle design with standardized actuation mechanisms allows one device to perform multiple surgical tasks that previously required separate specialized tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The device separates the reusable handle assembly from disposable loading units, allowing the handle to remain while only the loading units are replaced between tasks. This segmentation enables quick task transitions without sterilizing entire assemblies, reducing procedure time while maintaining versatility.
2Ease of manufacture
If reloadable surgical devices are used to reduce cost, then overall cost is improved, but device reliability deteriorates due to malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs disposable loading units that are discarded after a single use, eliminating the risk of malfunctions associated with reloadable mechanisms. The reusable handle assembly is designed with simple, robust actuation mechanisms that have fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance needs while the disposable units ensure reliability through their single-use nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex actuation mechanism is extracted from the disposable loading units and placed in the reusable handle assembly. This allows the disposable units to be simpler in construction, reducing manufacturing cost, while the handle contains the more complex, reliable actuation systems that can be reused across multiple procedures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If disposable loading units with complex actuation mechanisms are used, then task versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A universal actuation mechanism in the handle assembly serves multiple disposable loading units designed for different surgical tasks. The standardized actuation interface allows versatility across different loading unit types without requiring each unit to have its own complex actuation system, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanisms are merged into the reusable handle assembly rather than being distributed across multiple disposable units. This consolidation reduces the total complexity by having one robust actuation system serve multiple functions, while the disposable units become simpler components that attach to this centralized actuation system.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device to perform open, endoscopic and/or laparoscopic surgical operations. The surgical device includes a handle assembly and at least one disposable loading unit. The handle assembly includes a casing forming a housing, a stationary handle element, and a handle element movable by way of an actuating movement. The at least one disposable loading unit may be reversibly mounted at least partially inside the casing, and includes an actuation mechanism.