Surgical Handle Deactivation Mechanism for Spring Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instrument handles with springs complicate assembly and operation, causing fatigue and operational errors due to continuous spring force, which also undesirably position the end effector.
Innovation Solution
A handle with a deactivation mechanism that applies force only during assembly, using a tension spring to hold the lever in the correct position, then releasing it for zero force during use, ensuring easy assembly and reduced fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a spring is used to hold the movable lever in the correct receiving position for assembly, then assembly is simplified and the lever is automatically positioned, but the spring applies continuous force during operation causing surgeon fatigue and operational errors
Solution Approach 1:
The spring performs its positioning function in advance during the assembly phase only. Once the actuating rod is inserted, a deactivation means automatically disengages the spring from the movable lever, eliminating continuous force application during surgery while maintaining the benefit of automatic positioning during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static continuous spring force application to a dynamic system where the spring engagement is automatically deactivated after assembly. The deactivation means responds to the insertion of the actuating rod by disengaging the spring, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics based on operational phase.
2Ease of manufacture
If a spring is used to preset the movable lever in the receiving position, then assembly is facilitated, but the end effector is continually forced into an undesired open position complicating instrument handling
Solution Approach 1:
The spring's positioning action is confined to the preliminary assembly phase only. After the actuating rod is inserted, the deactivation means automatically disengages the spring, allowing the end effector to be freely positioned during surgery without continuous spring forcing, thus eliminating the unwanted open position constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force application occurs periodically only during assembly and is automatically terminated after actuating rod insertion. The deactivation means ensures the spring force is applied only when needed (during assembly) and not during the surgical operation phase, creating a periodic rather than continuous action pattern.
3Stability of the object's composition
If continuous spring force is applied to the movable lever, then the lever is maintained in the correct receiving position, but the surgeon must continually work against the spring force leading to fatigue and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides stable positioning during the preliminary assembly phase, but this stability function is automatically deactivated after actuating rod insertion. The deactivation means ensures the spring force is applied only when needed for positioning during assembly, not during surgical operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force is discarded (deactivated) after completing its positioning function during assembly. The deactivation means automatically disengages the spring from the movable lever once the actuating rod is inserted, allowing the surgeon to operate without continuous opposing force while the positioning stability was already achieved during assembly.
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
Facilitates easy assembly and reduces surgeon fatigue by eliminating continuous spring force, preventing unwanted end effector positioning and improving handling during surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a tension spring (21) acting on the movement element (18) in the non-deactivating position
Data Source
AI summary
A handle of a surgical instrument including a shaft, a handle body, a stationary handle lever, with a movable handle lever, with a receptacle that is disposed on the movable handle lever for a proximal end piece of an actuating rod that extends through the shaft, at the distal end of the shaft, an end effector, wherein the receptacle receives or releases, in the receiving position of the movable handle lever, the end piece for assembly or disassembly of the shaft, and with a handle spring that applies force to the movable handle lever when the actuating rod is not installed, and on a stop means on the movable handle lever. The handle includes a deactivation means that deactivates the application of force to the movable handle lever by means of the handle spring, when the actuating rod is installed on the handle.