Surgical Instrument End Effector Rotation Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments with rotatable and bendable end effectors can be difficult to use due to independent operation of the bending dial and rotation knob, leading to a relative relationship change between the bending direction and operational direction as the end effector's angular position changes.
Innovation Solution
A surgical treatment instrument design where the end effector, shaft, and bending operation dial rotate together about the longitudinal axis, maintaining a consistent relative relationship between the bending direction and operational direction, with a rotor and transmitter system that transmits driving force to the end effector to facilitate bending.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the bending operation dial rotates independently of the rotation operation knob, then the end effector can be bent and rotated separately, but the relative relationship between the bending direction and operational direction changes as the angular position changes
Solution Approach 1:
The bending operation dial is coupled to rotate together with the rotation operation knob and end effector about the longitudinal axis. This merging of independent rotation capabilities ensures that the bending direction remains consistently aligned with the operational direction regardless of the end effector's angular position, resolving the contradiction between independent adaptability and operational consistency
2Device complexity
If the bending operation dial is attached to the housing, then the structure is simplified, but the bending operator does not rotate with the end effector causing misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The bending operation dial is integrated with the rotation transmission mechanism so that it rotates together with the rotation operation knob and end effector. This merging maintains structural relative simplicity while ensuring the bending operator stays aligned with the end effector's operational direction throughout rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical treatment instrument includes an elongated member an end effector that is bendable with respect to the elongated member, a bending operator operable to bend the end effector, a rotor rotatable about a rotation axis in response to operation of the bending operator, and a transmitter that transmits a driving force to bend the end effector. The bending operator, the rotor, and the transmitter are rotatable about the longitudinal axis together with the elongated member and the end effector.