Surgical Instrument Locking Mechanism for Stable Articulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical instruments lack dexterity, making tasks like suturing and fine dissection challenging due to limited control and stability, especially when trying to maintain specific orientations or positions during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a proximal control handle, distal work member, and intercoupled turnable members, featuring a locking mechanism that allows the instrument to be locked in a desired position while still being rotatable, enabling precise control and stability through a combination of bendable members and cable systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the instrument uses a fulcrum effect with the patient's incision area as the fulcrum, then the instrument can be operated with simple structure, but the dexterity and control are extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument shaft is divided into multiple segments with articulation joints, allowing independent movement of each segment. This segmentation enables the distal end to achieve complex orientations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and operational dexterity.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument incorporates dynamic articulation joints that allow real-time adjustment of the instrument's orientation. The joints can be actuated through cable mechanisms or robotic control, enabling the instrument to adapt its configuration dynamically during procedures, thereby improving dexterity without requiring complex fixed structures.
2Ease of operation
If extra articulation is provided with separately disposed control members, then the control capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into integrated control members or a single control interface. For example, a single handle may control both articulation and positioning functions through a unified cable or robotic control system, reducing the number of separate control members while maintaining comprehensive control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control members are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. A single control member may enable both articulation adjustment and position holding, or the same control interface may manage multiple articulation joints, thereby improving control capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the instrument is designed to be locked in a particular position, then the stability is improved, but the ease of repositioning is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates in periodic cycles of locking and unlocking. The instrument can be locked in a stable position during tasks requiring precision, then unlocked and repositioned when needed. This periodic locking/unlocking allows the system to alternate between stability and repositioning ease, resolving the contradiction between the two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be dynamically controllable, allowing the surgeon to lock and unlock the instrument at any time during the procedure. The locking member can be actuated through a simple control interface, enabling rapid transition between locked (stable) and unlocked (repositionable) states without complex operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument shaft is made flexible for intraluminal use, then the adaptability is improved, but the control precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible instrument shaft is segmented into multiple rigid or semi-rigid sections connected by flexible joints. This segmentation allows the shaft to bend and adapt to intraluminal curves while maintaining the ability to transmit precise control forces and motions from the proximal control members to the distal work member, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and control precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The surgical instrument includes a distal tool, a rigid or flexible elongated shaft that supports the distal tool, and a proximal handle or control member, where the tool and the handle are coupled to the respective distal and proximal ends of the elongated shaft via distal and proximal bendable motion members. Actuation means extends between said distal and proximal members whereby any deflection of said control handle with respect to said elongated instrument shaft causes a corresponding bending of said distal motion member for control of said working member. A manually rotatable member is arranged adjacent to the control handle for manually rotating the instrument shaft and working member relative to the control handle. A locking member is supported from the control handle and has locked and unlocked states; in the unlocked state enabling control of the distal work member from the proximal control handle via the bendable members; and in the locked state, holding the bendable members in a pre-selected relative fixed position.