Selectable Handle Biasing for Surgical Jaws
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical instruments often have uncontrolled jaw opening, which can cause damage to surrounding tissue during fine dissection, as they are biased to an open configuration, lacking user-selectable options for jaw biasing.
Innovation Solution
The surgical device incorporates a biasing mechanism with a handle housing and a trigger that allows selective biasing of opposed jaws to open, closed, or neutral positions using a combination of opening and closing springs, along with a lever to control the actuating member, enabling user-selectable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the jaws are biased to an open configuration, then the device is easier to operate and reset, but uncontrolled opening occurs causing tissue damage during fine dissection
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism transitions from a static fixed-bias configuration to a dynamic adjustable-bias configuration. The surgeon can select between open-biased, closed-biased, or neutral configurations based on the specific surgical task, allowing the system to adapt its mechanical characteristics dynamically throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the biasing parameter from a fixed state to a selectable state with multiple configurations. By providing different biasing modes (open-biased, closed-biased, neutral), the system allows modification of the mechanical parameter that controls jaw behavior, thereby preventing tissue damage while maintaining ease of operation as needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a biasing switch with multiple configurations is added, then user-selectable jaw configurations are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism serves multiple functions within a single integrated system. It can provide open-biased configuration for general use, closed-biased configuration for fine dissection, and neutral configuration for precise manual control, making the device universally adaptable to different surgical requirements without requiring multiple separate devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the biasing mechanism and the selection control into an integrated assembly. The biasing switch with actuator is combined with the trigger mechanism and spring system, allowing multiple functions (open-bias, closed-bias, neutral) to be achieved through a unified control structure rather than separate independent systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the jaws are biased to a closed configuration, then uncontrolled opening is prevented, but the surgeon must continuously counteract the closing force
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic selection of biasing configurations. When closed-biased mode is selected, the jaws provide stable closed-biased behavior for fine dissection. When open-biased mode is selected, the jaws provide easy reset behavior. The surgeon can dynamically switch between these modes depending on the immediate surgical needs, optimizing both safety and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing parameter can be changed from closed-biased to open-biased or neutral based on the surgical task. This parameter change allows the system to eliminate the continuous counteracting force requirement when open-biased configuration is selected, while still providing the option for closed-biased configuration when stability is the priority.
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 allows surgeons to choose the jaw configuration, preventing uncontrolled opening and ensuring the device is suitable for a variety of surgical procedures, reducing tissue damage and enhancing procedural versatility.
Implementation Method 1
The opening spring can be configured to bias the opposed jaws to the open position
Implementation Method 2
the closing spring can be configured to bias the opposed jaws to the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Devices and related methods are disclosed that generally relate to surgical devices provided for use in various surgical procedures. In some embodiments, the surgical devices can include a handle housing and an elongate shaft having opposed jaws disposed at a distal end thereof. The handle housing can have a handle portion and a trigger configured to pivot relative to the handle portion to open and close the opposed jaws. A biasing switch can generally be disposed in and/or on the handle housing and can be selectively movable between a first configuration in which the opposed jaws are biased to an open position, and a second configuration in which the opposed jaws are biased to a closed position.