Trocar Coupling Assembly Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical stapler trocar assemblies lack a secure and efficient mechanism for coupling and decoupling, making it difficult to select the appropriate trocar assembly for procedures and complicating sanitization and reuse.
Innovation Solution
A trocar coupling assembly with a housing, release button, spring, retention pin, and clip that transitions between locked and unlocked configurations, allowing for secure insertion and removal of the trocar assembly, with visual indication and axial relationship maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trocar assembly is securely coupled to the surgical stapler, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removal for sanitization and reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions between static locked and dynamic unlocked states through the release button actuation, allowing the retention pin to move between engaged and disengaged positions, thereby enabling both secure coupling during surgery and easy removal for sanitization
2Ease of operation
If a release mechanism is added to enable easy removal, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components (release button, spring, retention pin, clip) that work independently but cooperatively, allowing each element to perform its specific function while contributing to the overall simplicity of the assembly and disassembly process
3Ease of operation
If visual indication is provided for unlocked configuration, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention pin's position itself serves as the visual indication mechanism - when retracted it provides visual confirmation of unlocked status through its position relative to the housing opening, eliminating the need for additional colored indicators or complex signaling systems
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
Enables secure coupling and easy removal of the trocar assembly, facilitating procedure-specific trocar selection and sanitization, while preventing unintended insertion or actuation of the surgical stapler.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is disposed between the housing and the release button, the spring biasing the release button towards the extended position
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A trocar coupling assembly includes a housing disposable in a tubular shaft of a surgical stapler. The housing has opposed openings defining a passage through the housing that is capable of receiving a trocar assembly therein. A release button is accessible through the tubular shaft for transitioning the trocar coupling assembly between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration.