Wire Spool for Rotational Coupling in Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical instruments face challenges in articulation and rotation, particularly due to reduced field of view and tactile feedback, which complicates the application of surgical clips and fasteners during minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus featuring a housing, an elongate tubular member, a drive assembly, and an electrical coupling assembly that allows for rotation and articulation of the instrument while maintaining the electrical wire's stability, utilizing a limiting mechanism with a ball bearing and cam slots to restrict rotational movement and provide tactile feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical wire is fixed within the housing and the elongate tubular member to maintain stability, then the electrical connection is reliable, but the elongate tubular member cannot rotate about the longitudinal axis
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical coupling assembly is divided into a fixed member (attached to housing) and a rotatable member (attached to elongate tubular member), allowing independent rotational movement of the tubular member while maintaining electrical connection through the segmented structure
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical wire wrapped about the electrical coupling assembly acts as an intermediary element that accommodates rotational movement between the fixed housing and the rotatable elongate tubular member, maintaining electrical connection while enabling rotation
2Manufacturing precision
If the elongate tubular member is allowed to rotate freely to improve articulation, then the surgical clip application precision is improved, but the rotational movement cannot be controlled or limited
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting mechanism transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one where the ball bearing can move between the proximal and distal ends of the longitudinal cam slot, allowing controlled rotation within a defined range while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting mechanism provides tactile feedback through the ball bearing's interaction with the cam slots, giving the operator awareness of the rotational range limits while maintaining precise control for surgical clip application
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
Enhances the precision and effectiveness of surgical clip application by enabling controlled articulation and rotation, improving the operational complexity of endoscopic procedures and reducing the challenges associated with reduced field of view and tactile feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The limiting mechanism includes an inner band and an outer collar and a ball bearing. The inner band defines a spiral cam slot and the outer defines a longitudinal cam slot. The ball bearing is located within both the spiral cam slot and the longitudinal cam slot.
Implementation Method 2
The inner band defines a spiral cam slot and the outer defines a longitudinal cam slot. The ball bearing is located within both the spiral cam slot and the longitudinal cam slot.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
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AI summary
A surgical apparatus for performance of a surgical procedure on body tissue is provided and includes a housing, an elongate tubular member, a drive assembly, an electrical coupling component, and an electrical wire. The elongate tubular member is at least partially supported by the housing and defines a center lumen and a longitudinal axis. The drive assembly extends from the housing into the center lumen of the elongate tubular member. The electrical coupling component is located about the drive assembly. The electrical wire extends from within the housing into the elongate tubular member. The electrical wire is wrapped about the electrical coupling component, which allows the elongate tubular member to rotate about the longitudinal axis while allowing the electrical wire to be fixed within the housing and the elongate tubular member.