Articulating Surgical End Effector Lockout for Stable Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments with articulating end effectors often experience instability in the closed state, leading to unwanted shaking during tissue stapling operations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a lockout assembly that includes a first lock member to prevent articulation when the end effector is closed and a second lock member to stabilize the joint assembly, ensuring the end effector remains locked in position during stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the end effector is designed to articulate relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft, then the adaptability for operating tissue at different angles is improved, but the stability of the end effector in the closed state deteriorates, causing unwanted shaking during stapling
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout assembly is activated before the stapling operation to pre-lock the joint assembly, preventing any articulation movement during the critical stapling phase. This preliminary locking action ensures stability is established before the tissue stapling begins, eliminating the shaking problem while maintaining articulation capability for positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic articulated state and back to static locked state. The lockout assembly allows the joint to be articulated when needed for positioning, then locks it firmly in place during stapling. This dynamic control enables both articulation capability and stability in closed state at different operational phases.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lockout assembly is added to lock the joint assembly, then the stability in the closed state is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout assembly is integrated with the existing articulating mechanism components. The first lock member engages with the articulating mechanism, and the second lock member engages with the joint assembly, merging the locking function with the existing articulation structure. This integration minimizes additional complexity while achieving the stability goal.
Solution Approach 2:
The lockout assembly serves multiple functions: it locks the articulating mechanism from being operated (first lock member) and locks the position of the joint assembly (second lock member). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate locking mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving comprehensive stability.
3Reliability
If the first lock member is engaged with the articulating mechanism, then the reliability of preventing unwanted articulation is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional locking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The lockout assembly is activated before the stapling operation to pre-lock the joint assembly, preventing any articulation movement during the critical stapling phase. This preliminary locking action ensures stability is established before the tissue stapling begins, eliminating the shaking problem while maintaining articulation capability for positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a handle portion; an elongated shaft extending from the handle portion to a distal side; an end effector; and an joint assembly, a 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.