Universal Joint for Powered Surgical Stapler Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered surgical stapling devices face challenges in providing a powered cartridge assembly capable of pivotal movement in relation to the drive components, which is essential for minimizing jaw deflection during staple formation.
Innovation Solution
The end effector assembly includes a housing with a pivotally supported channel and anvil assembly, where a threaded lead screw is secured within the channel by a universal joint that translates rotational movement of the input shaft into rotational movement of the lead screw, allowing pivotal movement of the channel and lead screw relative to the housing and anvil, facilitating the pivotal movement of the cartridge assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a powered cartridge assembly is made pivotally movable to minimize jaw deflection during staple formation, then the mechanical complexity of the drive system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge assembly is designed with pivotal movement capability, transitioning from a fixed to a dynamic configuration. The universal joint enables the lead screw to pivot relative to the input shaft, allowing the cartridge assembly to dynamically adjust its position while maintaining mechanical drive connectivity, thus minimizing jaw deflection without complete system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The universal joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the input shaft and lead screw. It mediates the connection by accommodating angular misalignment and pivotal movement, allowing the drive system to maintain functional connectivity while enabling the cartridge assembly to pivot, thereby resolving the conflict between movement capability and mechanical complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal joint is used to connect the input shaft and lead screw to enable pivotal movement, then the ease of manufacture decreases due to precision requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The universal joint introduces dynamic adaptability to the system, allowing pivotal movement between the input shaft and lead screw. This dynamic connection enables the cartridge assembly to pivot while maintaining reliable mechanical drive transmission, accepting increased manufacturing complexity in exchange for functional versatility
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
This configuration enables precise and robust staple formation by allowing the cartridge assembly to move pivotally, reducing jaw deflection and improving the efficiency of staple formation in surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The universal joint is configured to translate rotation of the input shaft into rotation of the lead shaft and to facilitate pivotal movement of the channel and the lead screw in relation to the input shaft and the housing
Implementation Method 2
A threaded lead screw is supported within the channel
Data Source
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AI summary
A powered surgical stapling device (10) includes an end effector (20) having a stationary anvil (30) and a cartridge assembly (32) that is supported for pivotal movement in relation to the anvil (30). In embodiments, the end effector (20) includes a housing (22) that supports an input shaft (24), an anvil (30) fixedly supported on the housing (22), and a cartridge assembly (32) pivotally supported in relation to the housing (22) and the anvil (30). The cartridge assembly (32) includes a channel (46) that is pivotally supported on the housing (22). A lead screw (54) is positioned within the channel (46) and supports an internally threaded dynamic clamping member (42). The lead screw (54) is secured to the input shaft (24) by a universal joint (80) such that rotation of the input shaft (24) effects rotation of the lead screw (54) and longitudinal translation of the dynamic clamping member (42) along the lead screw (54). The universal joint (80) facilitates the translation of the rotatable movement of the input shaft (24) into rotation of the lead screw (54) while allowing pivotal movement of the lead screw (54) in relation to the input shaft (24).