Surgical End Effector Needle Advancement and Retraction Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current endoscopic surgical devices lack efficient mechanisms for advancing and retracting needles safely and effectively, particularly in laparoscopic procedures, which can lead to unintended needle contact with the physician and require multiple devices for different steps of the procedure.

Innovation Solution

The end effector includes a drive assembly, a needle assembly, and a biasing element, with a lock mechanism to prevent proximal movement of the needle until a predetermined position is reached, allowing for safe advancement and retraction of the needle, and a spring-loaded safety cover to prevent unintentional contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle is advanced into tissue during endoscopic surgical procedures, then the needle can perform its surgical function (e.g., inserting suture), but the needle may come into unintended contact with the physician, creating a safety hazard

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical function performanceVSAvoidunintended needle contact with physician

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle assembly is nested within the end effector housing, allowing the needle to be advanced into tissue while remaining contained within the device structure. The needle can be retracted back into the housing after use, preventing unintended contact with the physician while maintaining surgical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The needle is pre-loaded into the end effector in a safe, retracted position before the surgical procedure begins. The needle is advanced into tissue only when needed and then retracted, rather than being exposed throughout the entire procedure, thereby preventing unintended contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple surgical devices are used for different steps of the procedure (needle advancement, retraction, etc.), then each function can be optimized, but the device complexity and number of devices required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction optimizationVSAvoidnumber of surgical devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector is designed as a multi-functional device that can advance the needle into tissue, hold the needle in position, and retract the needle back into the housing. This single device performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices, reducing overall complexity while maintaining optimized performance for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functions of needle advancement, positioning, and retraction are merged into a single integrated end effector assembly. The drive mechanism, needle assembly, and housing work together as one unified device rather than requiring separate devices for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the needle is left exposed after advancement into tissue, then the needle remains accessible for its function, but the risk of unintended contact with the physician increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle accessibilityVSAvoidunintended needle contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle assembly is designed to be dynamically movable between an advanced position (where the needle tip extends from the housing for surgical function) and a retracted position (where the needle is pulled back into the housing for safety). This dynamic positioning allows the needle to be accessible when needed and protected when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 enables safe and efficient advancement and retraction of needles, reducing the risk of needle contact and minimizing the number of surgical devices needed, thereby streamlining surgical procedures and enhancing safety.

Implementation Method 1

The biasing element is configured to bias the needle assembly proximally. In disclosed embodiments, the biasing element includes a compression spring.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

Rotation of the drive assembly in a first direction causes distal translation of the driver with respect to the drive assembly. The driver is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20230200803A1Surgical end effectors

Publication Date: 2023.06.29 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

An end effector for use with a surgical device is provided. The end effector includes a drive assembly, a driver, a needle assembly and a biasing element. The driver is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly. Rotation of the drive assembly in a first direction causes distal translation of the driver with respect to the drive assembly. The needle assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the driver. Distal translation of the driver causes a corresponding distal translation of the needle assembly. The biasing element is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the needle assembly and is configured to bias the needle assembly proximally.