Monolithic Surgical Instrument Housing with Integrated Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing force transmission mechanisms for surgical instruments lack efficient and easy-to-use coupling mechanisms that allow for easy connection and disconnection with drive interface components, while also conserving space for other components, which is crucial in minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A monolithic housing with a releasable coupling mechanism that can be molded as a single piece, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement with drive interface devices, such as a patient side cart in teleoperated surgical systems, facilitating one-handed operation and reducing the number of separate parts needed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate coupling mechanism is used, then the surgical instrument can be easily connected and disconnected, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling operationVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is merged with the housing to form a monolithic construction, eliminating the need for separate coupling components while maintaining the ease of connection and disconnection functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If a separate coupling mechanism is used, then the surgical instrument can be easily connected and disconnected, but the space for other components is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling operationVSAvoidspace for components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is integrated into the housing structure, eliminating the need for additional space that would be required for separate coupling components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used, then the force transmission mechanism can be manufactured, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing capabilityVSAvoidassembly speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing and coupling mechanism are combined into a single monolithic component that can be manufactured as one piece, eliminating the assembly steps required for multiple separate parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism is pre-formed as an integral part of the housing during the housing manufacturing process, so no separate assembly of coupling components is needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11413741B2Surgical instrument housing, and related systems, and methods

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A force transmission mechanism of a surgical instrument, the force transmission mechanism being configured to releasably engage with a drive interface device located at a patient side cart of a teleoperated surgical system may comprise a housing comprising a side wall surrounding an interior of the housing, one or more drive components in the interior of the housing, a releasable coupling mechanism configured to releasably engage the force transmission mechanism with the drive interface device, wherein the releasable coupling mechanism has a longitudinal axis and is pivotable about an axis oriented approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.