Articulating Surgical Instrument Lockout for Stable End Effector Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments with end effectors experience shaking in the closed state due to lack of effective locking mechanisms, compromising stability during tissue clamping and stapling operations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a lockout assembly that includes a first lock member to lock the articulating mechanism and a second lock member to lock the joint assembly, ensuring stability by preventing unwanted movement of the end effector during tissue clamping and stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector is designed to be articulating and movable for flexible tissue access, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the stability and reliability deteriorate due to shaking in closed state
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions between articulated and locked states. The end effector can be articulated during the approach and positioning phase, then locked in a stable closed state during the firing phase. This dynamic state change allows the system to have both mobility when needed and stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lockout assembly is engaged in advance before firing to prevent any articulation movement during the critical firing phase. By preliminarily locking the joint assembly and articulating mechanism, the system ensures stability is established before the tissue clamping and stapling action occurs.
2Reliability
If locking mechanisms are added to prevent shaking, then the stability and reliability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the existing firing mechanism. The lockout assembly is integrated into the elongated shaft and works in conjunction with the articulating mechanism and joint assembly. By combining the locking function with existing components rather than adding completely separate locking systems, the complexity increase is minimized while achieving the desired stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lockout assembly is designed to be automatically engaged through the existing closing motion of the end effector. As the end effector closes, the lockout assembly self-activates to lock the joint assembly and articulating mechanism, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms or additional user actions to engage the locking function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the second lock member is connected directly to the outer tube, then the manufacturing precision and ease of manufacture are improved, but the reliability may worsen due to synchronous movement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
A slider is introduced as an intermediary component between the outer tube and the second lock member. The slider translates the distal movement of the outer tube into reliable engagement of the second lock member with the lock groove on the joint assembly. This intermediary ensures that even with manufacturing tolerances, the locking action is consistent and reliable.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the outer tube and second lock member is segmented into distinct functional components: the outer tube provides the driving motion, the slider translates and guides this motion, and the second lock member executes the locking action. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The application provides a surgical instrument comprising: a handle portion; an elongated shaft extending from the handle portion to a distal side; an end effector; and a joint assembly, an articulating mechanism and a lockout assembly, the lockout assembly comprises a first lock member and a second lock member, the first lock member is operated to selectively lock a bending operation of the articulating mechanism, and the first lock member is arranged to selectively lock the bending operation of the articulating mechanism under an operation of the articulating mechanism; and the second lock member is arranged to selectively lock a position of the joint assembly under an operation of the handle portion.