Surgical Instrument Elastic Coupling Link Resetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments with pivotably supported jaws and longitudinally guided knives are complex and costly, particularly for single-use instruments, and pose challenges in cleaning and sterilization due to components like helical springs and telescopic arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument featuring a pivotably supported operation element with a coupling device that includes an elastically deformable coupling link, which transfers pivot movements to a tool, such as a knife, and provides a resetting torque to return the operation element to its initial position without additional bias elements like helical springs, allowing for a simpler and more cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If helical springs or telescopic arrangements are used to bias the operation element in its initial position, then the resetting function is achieved, but the construction becomes elaborate and cleaning/sterilization becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the helical spring or telescopic arrangement from the device, replacing it with a simpler biasing mechanism. The operation element is biased in its initial position by a force fit connection between the coupling link and the tool, eliminating complex components that are difficult to clean and sterilize.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling link serves multiple functions: it transmits the pivot movement of the operation element to the tool in longitudinal direction, and simultaneously provides the biasing force to return the operation element to its initial position through its force fit connection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate biasing components.
2Reliability
If helical springs or telescopic arrangements are used, then the resetting torque is provided, but cleaning and sterilization efforts increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic helical spring or telescopic arrangement from the device. The resetting torque is instead provided by the force fit connection between the coupling link and the tool, which has no hidden crevices or complex geometries that would trap contaminants, making cleaning and sterilization straightforward.
3Reliability
If additional bias elements like helical springs are used, then the resetting function is ensured, but the component count and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the biasing function with the coupling link itself. The force fit connection between the coupling link and the tool provides both the mechanical coupling for movement transmission and the biasing force for resetting, eliminating the need for separate bias elements and reducing overall component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling link is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting pivot movement to longitudinal movement of the tool, and simultaneously providing the resetting torque through its force fit connection. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the device.
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
The solution simplifies the construction of the surgical instrument, reduces component count, and facilitates cleaning and sterilization by eliminating complex bias mechanisms, thereby lowering costs and improving maintenance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling link is elastically deformable. In the initial position of the operation element the coupling link is not elastically deformed or less elastically deformed than in the working position of the operation element
Implementation Method 2
In the working position of the operation element the coupling link is more deformed as in its first condition and thus effectuates a resetting torque on the pivotably supported operation element in direction toward the initial position
Data Source
AI summary
An operation device for operating a tool of a surgical instrument. The operation device has an operation element that is pivotably supported between an initial position and a working position. The operation element is movably coupled with the tool by means of a coupling device comprising a coupling link or consisting of a coupling link. The coupling link is elastically deformable and effectuates a resetting torque due to the elastic deformation in case the operation element is deflected out of the initial position, wherein the resetting torque urges the operation element back in the initial position.