Disposable Surgical Instrument Jaw Actuation via Cable and Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a minimally invasive surgical instrument that is easy to manufacture and provides comprehensive functionality, preferably for one-time use, without the use of metallic rotary or milling portions, while maintaining or improving upon the properties of reusable instruments.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with two jaw portions connected via a traction cable or push rod, utilizing spring elements for actuation, which allows the jaws to be held in open or closed positions by spring force, reducing the complexity and radial dimensions, and enhancing electrical and thermal conductivity for improved heat dissipation and reduced tissue adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metallic rotary or milling portions are used in surgical instruments, then the functionality and reusability are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a disposable surgical instrument design where the entire instrument including jaw portions, shaft, and gripping portion is designed for single-use. This eliminates the need for complex metallic rotary or milling portions that would require maintenance and sterilization, while maintaining full surgical functionality. The instrument can be manufactured using cost-effective processes like injection molding, achieving both ease of manufacture and adequate reliability for single-use applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex joint mechanisms are added to enable jaw actuation, then the gripping functionality is improved, but the radial dimensions and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical joint mechanisms with a cable-driven actuation system. The gripping portion contains cables that run through the shaft and are connected to the jaw portions. By actuating the gripping portion, the cables are tensioned or relaxed to open or close the jaws. This substitution of mechanical joints with cable transmission significantly reduces the radial dimensions and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining full gripping functionality.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If thermal insulation materials are used in the instrument structure, then the heat protection is improved, but the thermal conductivity and heat dissipation capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal insulation selectively only in the gripping portion where the user's fingers contact the instrument, protecting against heat transfer from the surgical site. The shaft and jaw portions maintain high thermal conductivity to allow efficient heat dissipation from the tissue treatment area. This localized application of different thermal properties achieves both heat protection for the user and effective heat dissipation from the surgical site without requiring complex multi-layer insulation throughout the entire instrument.
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 enables the creation of single-use surgical instruments with functionality comparable to reusable ones, with improved operability and reduced risk of tissue adhesion due to enhanced thermal conductivity and electrical properties.
Implementation Method 1
the suspension comprises spring elements that each connect one of the jaw portions to the traction cable or the push rod
Implementation Method 2
at least one of which is rotatably mounted via an axis of rotation at a distal end of a shaft and is connected via a traction cable or a push rod to a gripping portion at the proximal end of the shaft
Implementation Method 3
the electrical conductivity and the thermal conductivity of the instrument can be improved. In particular, it is possible to galvanically coat the traction cables/push rods and jaw portions, preferably completely or partially, without reducing the electrical or thermal conductivity at connection points or joint portions. Improved thermal conductivity leads to better heat dissipation from the distal end of the jaw portions
Implementation Method 4
it is possible to galvanically coat the traction cables/push rods and jaw portions, preferably completely or partially, without reducing the electrical or thermal conductivity at connection points or joint portions
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprising two jaw portions, at least one of which is rotatably mounted via an axis of rotation at a distal end of a shaft and is connected via a traction cable or a push rod to a gripping portion at the proximal end of the shaft, wherein the jaw formed by the jaw portions is held in an open or closed position by means of a suspension when the instrument is at rest.