Surgical Instrument with Selective Rotary and Linear Drivetrains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers lack a modular and adaptable design that can seamlessly switch between linear and rotary drive systems, limiting their versatility and efficiency in various surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a handle assembly that can selectively couple with interchangeable shaft assemblies featuring either linear or rotary drive systems, utilizing a control module to determine the required drive type and activate the corresponding mechanisms, allowing for efficient actuation of end effectors in different surgical tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical staplers use a fixed drive system design, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the versatility and adaptability to different surgical procedures are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into separable components: a handle assembly and interchangeable shaft assemblies. The handle assembly contains the drive system, while different shaft assemblies (with linear or rotary drive interfaces) can be attached as needed. This segmentation allows the handle to remain relatively simple while gaining versatility through modular shaft selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed with a universal coupling mechanism that can interface with multiple types of shaft assemblies. The drive system includes both linear and rotary drive outputs, allowing a single handle to perform multiple surgical functions by simply changing the attached shaft assembly, eliminating the need for multiple specialized handles.
2Adaptability or versatility
If surgical instruments use interchangeable shaft assemblies with different drive types, then the adaptability to various surgical tasks is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument system includes automatic detection and adaptation features. The control module automatically detects the type of shaft assembly attached and selects the appropriate drive mode (linear or rotary). This self-service capability eliminates the need for the operator to manually configure complex settings, maintaining ease of operation despite the system's versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive system is designed to dynamically adapt its operation based on the attached shaft assembly. The control module can switch between different drive modes and adjust operational parameters in real-time based on feedback from sensors and the detected shaft type, allowing the system to optimize performance automatically without increasing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a single handle assembly supports multiple drive types, then the need for multiple handle assemblies is reduced, but the internal complexity of the handle assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft assembly acts as an intermediary between the handle's drive system and the surgical end effector. Different shaft assemblies with specialized drive interfaces (linear or rotary) absorb the complexity of adapting to various surgical tasks, allowing the handle assembly to maintain a relatively simplified structure while still supporting multiple drive types through its coupling mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a body and a shaft assembly. The body includes a rotary drive output, a linear drive output, and a control module. The shaft assembly includes a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end includes a type of end effector configured to operate on tissue. The proximal end is configured to removably couple with the body assembly. The proximal end includes one or both of a rotary drive input configured to couple with the rotary drive output or a linear drive input configured to couple with the linear drive input. The shaft assembly is configured to actuate the end effector in response to movement of one or both of the rotary drive input or the linear drive input. The control module is configured to selectively actuate the rotary drive output or the linear drive output based on the type of end effector of the shaft assembly.