Surgical Instrument Tool Head Manipulation Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments for minimally invasive surgery, such as laparoscopic surgery, face a challenge in achieving fine head movements while ensuring safety and reducing the number of components to prevent failures during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring two manipulators for controlling longitudinal and lateral degrees of freedom, with a first connecting structure that converts linear motion to rotational motion and a second connecting structure that transmits rotational motion, utilizing a universal joint and a pinion-rack mechanism to enable simple hand manipulation and reduce component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous components are used in the central system to enable free movement of the tool head, then the tool head can move freely in lateral and longitudinal directions, but the number of components increases and safety is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the longitudinal and lateral control functions into a single integrated manipulator assembly. The first manipulator controls longitudinal movement while the second manipulator controls lateral movement, but both are integrated into one compact central system structure rather than separate systems, reducing overall component count while maintaining full degrees of freedom for the tool head
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulators are designed with universal joints that provide multi-axis rotational capability, allowing a single manipulator structure to control movement in multiple directions (both longitudinal and lateral). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated mechanisms for each degree of freedom, reducing component count while maintaining versatility
2Ease of operation
If numerous components are used in the central system, then the conversion of hand manipulation to tool head movement is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the motion transmission chain. By using direct mechanical coupling between the manipulators and the tool head through simplified connecting structures, the design removes redundant elements while preserving the essential function of converting hand manipulation into precise tool head movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces universal joints as intermediary elements that efficiently transmit motion between the manipulators and tool head. These universal joints serve as compact mediators that handle complex multi-axis motion transmission in a single component, replacing what would otherwise require multiple separate transmission elements
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 design allows for safe and flexible movement of the tool head with reduced components, ensuring high safety and ease of manipulation during minimally invasive surgeries, including functions like bioptome and scissors.
Implementation Method 1
the first conversion mechanism that converts linear motion from the first manipulator to rotational motion
Implementation Method 2
a second conversion mechanism connected to the universal joint to convert rotational motion into linear motion
Implementation Method 3
a universal joint provided at a distal end portion of the first shaft
Implementation Method 4
a pinion formed at the distal portion of a tubular shaft in which the first shaft is coaxially encompassed, and a rack base portion being linked to the base portion where a rack to be meshed with the pinion
Implementation Method 5
a pinion formed at the distal portion of a tubular shaft in which the first shaft is coaxially encompassed, and a rack base portion being linked to the base portion where a rack to be meshed with the pinion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
[Problem to be solved] To provide a surgical instrument used for minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery, in which the head can be freely moved by a simple hand manipulation by a surgeon, and the number of components is reduced to ensure high safety. There provided a tool head at a distal portion, a first manipulator to control the longitudinal degrees of freedom and a second manipulator to control the lateral degrees of freedom at a proximal portion, the tool head having a movable portion and a base portion, and also, there provided a first connecting structure and a second connecting structure. The first connecting structure includes: a first conversion mechanism, a first shaft, a universal joint provided at a distal end portion of the first shaft, a second conversion mechanism, and a crank provided at a distal end portion of the second conversion mechanism, and connected to a proximal end portion of the movable portion. The second conversion mechanism includes a tubular shaft with a pinion formed at the distal portion, and a rack base portion in which a rack to be meshed with the pinion is formed thereon in an approximate semi-circular shape, wherein an intersection of shaft centers of two pivot shafts of the universal joint is positioned on an axial center of rotational axis of the rack.