Articulating Ultrasonic Waveguide Alignment for Surgical End Effectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic surgical instruments face challenges in maintaining precise alignment and articulation of the end effector, particularly when used in robotically assisted surgeries, which can affect the cutting and sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic surgical instrument incorporates an articulating shaft section with a flexible acoustic waveguide and a transducer assembly that maintains alignment and vibrational efficiency even during articulation, allowing for simultaneous cutting and sealing of tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft assembly is articulated to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis, then the instrument can access difficult surgical sites and perform complex maneuvers, but the alignment between the ultrasonic blade and clamp arm may be compromised, affecting cutting and sealing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer assembly is made movable relative to the housing along the longitudinal axis, allowing dynamic adjustment of the acoustic waveguide's position. This dynamic configuration enables the system to maintain proper blade-to-clamp-arm alignment across multiple articulation angles, resolving the contradiction between articulation versatility and alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from articulation sensors to automatically adjust the transducer assembly's position, allowing the instrument to self-correct alignment issues that arise during articulation. This self-adjusting mechanism ensures consistent cutting and sealing performance without requiring manual realignment by the surgeon
2Reliability
If a fixed transducer assembly is used, then the device structure is simpler and more reliable, but the ultrasonic blade cannot maintain optimal alignment with the clamp arm during articulation, reducing surgical performance
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer assembly is designed with movable mounting that allows it to shift position along the longitudinal axis in response to articulation. This dynamic capability enables the blade to maintain optimal alignment with the clamp arm during articulation, significantly improving surgical performance while adding minimal complexity to the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a more sophisticated transducer positioning system that uses controlled movement along the longitudinal axis. This substitution simplifies the overall mechanical structure while achieving better alignment performance through controlled positional adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If the acoustic waveguide is made flexible to accommodate articulation, then the instrument can bend and reach difficult areas, but the transmission of ultrasonic vibrations may be compromised, affecting cutting efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic waveguide incorporates a flexible portion that can bend to accommodate shaft articulation while maintaining ultrasonic vibration transmission. This flexible section allows the instrument to reach difficult surgical sites while preserving cutting efficiency through maintained acoustic coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid and flexible sections, with the flexible portion designed to transmit ultrasonic vibrations effectively while accommodating articulation. This composite design enables both shaft flexibility and maintained cutting performance
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 solution ensures precise and efficient cutting and sealing of tissue, with minimal thermal spread, even when the end effector is articulated, enhancing the surgical instrument's performance in robotically assisted procedures.
Implementation Method 1
one or more piezoelectric elements that convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
a blade element that vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies to cut and/or seal tissue (e.g., by denaturing proteins in tissue cells)
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic surgical instrument and method of deflecting an end effector includes the end effector having an ultrasonic blade, a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, and a body assembly. The shaft assembly has an articulation section configured to articulate from a straight configuration to an articulated configuration and an acoustic waveguide with a flexible waveguide portion positioned within the articulation section. The body assembly proximally extends from the shaft assembly and includes a housing and a shiftable transducer. The shiftable transducer is secured to the acoustic waveguide and configured to generate an ultrasonic energy. In addition, the shiftable transducer assembly is movably mounted relative to the housing and configured to accommodate deflection of the end effector.