Surgical Instrument Handpiece Resilient Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic surgical instruments lack a modular design that allows for easy detachment and reattachment of transmission assemblies, limiting their versatility and reusability with different end effectors and operational modes.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece handle assembly that can couple with various transmission assemblies, enabling the reuse of a single handle assembly with different end effectors by detaching and reattaching transmission assemblies, which may have different blades or functions, such as RF or cutting, through mechanisms like toggle buttons and spring wire connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical instruments use a fixed non-modular design, then structural simplicity is maintained, but versatility and reusability with different end effectors are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into separate modular components: a handle assembly, a transmission assembly, and an end effector. The handle assembly contains a receiver that can selectively receive different transmission assemblies through a coupling mechanism, allowing the system to be segmented into interchangeable parts that maintain overall functionality while enabling versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed with a universal receiver that can accommodate multiple types of transmission assemblies and end effectors. The coupling mechanism between the handle and transmission assembly is designed to universally accept different configurations, allowing a single handle to perform multiple surgical functions by simply changing the attached transmission assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If surgical instruments use a modular design with detachable transmission assemblies, then versatility and reusability are improved, but coupling reliability and connection strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates resilient members that provide dynamic, spring-loaded engagement between the handle assembly and transmission assembly. This resilient biasing creates a continuous force that maintains reliable connection while still allowing for controlled detachment when needed, balancing the need for both secure coupling and modular reconfigurability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple handle assemblies are used to support different end effectors, then functional versatility is achieved, but device complexity and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is designed as a universal platform that can interface with various transmission assemblies and end effectors through standardized coupling mechanisms. This allows a single handle assembly to replace multiple specialized handles, enabling functional versatility while reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured, stored, and eventually disposed of.
4Strength
If transmission assemblies are permanently attached to handle assemblies, then connection strength is maintained, but ease of operation and swapping capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism uses resilient members to create a dynamic connection that maintains strong engagement during normal operation but allows for controlled release. The resilient biasing provides continuous force to maintain connection strength, while the design incorporates features that enable deliberate detachment when swapping is required, balancing strength and operability.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism is designed to maintain its own engagement through resilient biasing without requiring additional active components or complex locking mechanisms. The resilient members continuously apply force to maintain the connection, and the system can be released through simple user action, allowing the coupling to serve itself while enabling easy swapping.
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 design enhances the versatility of surgical instruments by allowing users to easily swap transmission assemblies, facilitating reuse and reducing the need for multiple handle assemblies, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member, such as a spring, that is biased when the transmission assembly is in the disengaged position
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a reusable handle assembly and a removable and disposable transmission assembly. The handle assembly includes a trigger, a housing having a distal aperture formed in a distal end of the housing, a button disposed on a top surface of the housing, and a biasing member in communication with the button. The transmission assembly includes a proximal shaft, a rotator knob having a coupling feature, a distal shaft assembly extending distally from the proximal shaft, and an end effector at the distal end of the distal shaft assembly. The biasing member of the handle assembly is adjustably coupled to the coupling feature of the transmission assembly. Another version includes a movable yoke configured to engage an inner tube of the transmission assembly. Yet another version includes a waveguide of the transmission assembly non-threadably coupled to a transducer via a biasing force.