JP2012513820A - Reverse motion prevention mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

An anti-reverse mechanism that forces the actuating component to complete the first and second strokes of the linear reciprocating motion in the actuating mechanism.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a surgical clip applier, which is an instrument with a clip supply for quickly mounting several clips when closing a tubule carrying cut blood vessels and other fluids in a surgical procedure. To be implemented.

  Surgical clip applicators for a variety of surgical procedures, including both open surgery and laparoscopic surgery, come in many different designs, the clipping instrument is passed through the trocar and the clip is attached Enter the body cavity.

  The surgical clip applicator includes an operation handle and a clip mounting mechanism, and has an operation cycle in which an operation lever is pushed and released. During this cycle of operation, the clip is loaded intraoperatively, and one clip from the clip supply channel is reloaded into the jaws of the clip applicator for clip loading in the next cycle. The applicator provides a movable clip supply channel that stores a row of clips, which are sequentially released. This supply channel integrates a clip pusher and an escapement or clip spring into a single unit.

  A well-known danger with clip appliers is the situation where incompletely closed clips are released to the surgical site. This situation results as a result of releasing the operating handle after it has been pulled incompletely, ie after closing. By pulling incompletely, the clip placed on the jaws of the instrument is crimped but not closed. In some conventional instruments, when the incompletely pulled handle is released, the instrument jaws reopen and the incompletely closed clip falls from the jaws to the surgical site.

  The present invention provides an anti-reverse mechanism for repetitive multiclip appliers to avoid such operational hazards.

  The invention further relates generally to mechanical devices used in applications other than clip appliers, where one or more components reciprocate so that the device operates normally. In order to do this, it is desirable to ensure complete reciprocation of the components during operation or use of the device. The present invention allows a reciprocating translator (ie, a component of a reciprocating device) that forms part of a mechanical device to travel the full range of reciprocating motion provided to the translator as a component of that mechanical device. Guarantee to do. Specifically, the present invention prevents reciprocal motion of the reciprocating translator at the midpoint of the entire operating range given to the translator. When the translator pauses at the midpoint of the full operating range, the anti-reverse mechanism of the present invention ensures that the translator is limited only to resuming movement in the same direction as before pause.

  A preferred embodiment of a repetitive multi-clip applier according to the present invention includes an instrument having an operating handle housing and a removable, fully rotatable, disposable clip mounting cartridge. By fully pushing and releasing the operating handle, the clip is mounted at the surgical site and another clip is reloaded into the clip mounting jaw of the instrument.

  The handle handle housing incorporates an anti-reverse mechanism to prevent the handle from being pulled incompletely and released, which can cause the incompletely closed clip to fall to the surgical site. Is avoiding. The present invention ensures that this situation occurs when the anti-reverse mechanism ensures that when the instrument handle is pulled, it is pulled to the limit and a complete cycle of the clip applier mechanism is performed. And avoid it. When the instrument handle is pulled halfway, the anti-reverse mechanism maintains or holds the clip applier mechanism in place without fear of retreating or reversing. “Holding” to prevent back movement is released simply by pulling the handle completely. When pulled back halfway and the backlash prevention mechanism holds the clip mounting mechanism in that position, the jaws of the instrument are kept halfway closed, holding the incompletely closed clip, thereby Is prevented from falling onto the surgical site. The reverse movement prevention mechanism functions also in the opposite movement, that is, when the operation handle is released. That is, the operation handle when released is forced to perform a complete release operation by the back movement prevention mechanism. The anti-reverse mechanism prevents the trigger from being partially released and pulled again, thereby preventing double loading of the clip into the crimping jaws that may clog the instrument. Yes.

  Another embodiment of the anti-reverse mechanism is a device having one or more components that reciprocate during operation of the device, preferably ensuring full reciprocation every time the device is activated and used. Commonly used in equipment. For this purpose, anti-reverse springs are held in a fixed manner in the housing of the device along the spaced edges, the springs themselves facing each other across the spring opening. The leaf spring portion is disposed on the plate. A reciprocating translator slides into engagement with the working edge of the leaf spring through the spring opening. In this sliding engagement, the leaf spring portion is slightly bent in the moving direction of the translator. When the translator tries to reversely move in the opposite direction, the leaf spring portion is prevented by cooperating with the surface of the translator so as to prevent the reverse motion. For this reason, the only movement permitted for the translator is to move to the limit of the movable range in the original direction and reach a point where the engagement of the leaf spring portion with the translator is disengaged. Thus, the reverse movement can be performed only after the engagement of the leaf spring portion is released. Similarly, the leaf spring portion engages the translator during the return stroke, thereby preventing reverse movement until the return stroke limit is reached.

  The total range of motion of the translator is selected according to the task it performs as part of the actuation mechanism, and by placing transition points in the translator body at predetermined distance intervals, the translator moves through its full range of motion. To be limited. At each transition point, the leaf spring portion is disengaged from the translator, and the reverse movement is possible.

  Specific examples are included in the following description for purposes of clarity of the invention, but various details of the invention may be varied within the scope of the invention.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a clip applicator with an operation handle in which a clip mounting cartridge is prevented from moving backward and reciprocates linearly.

  Another object of the present invention is with an operating handle that provides a back-and-forth mechanism to allow full back-and-forth stroke of the clip-mounted cartridge and avoid the risk of incompletely crimped clips being released to the surgical site Is to provide a clip applicator.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a full back-and-forth stroke of the clip-mounted cartridge to prevent back-loading to avoid double loading of the clip into the crimping jaws that may clog the instrument. To provide a clip applicator with an operating handle comprising a mechanism.

  Another object of the present invention is a device having reciprocating components where it is desirable or necessary to complete the movement in one direction before the components can always be moved backwards. It is to provide a back motion prevention mechanism that is widely used in the field.

  Other and further objects of the present invention will become apparent upon understanding the following detailed description of the invention or upon practical use of the invention.

  The preferred embodiment selected for the detailed description of the present invention can be easily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, how to make and use the invention. Which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the applicator, with the operating handle housing partially shown in section and the handle in the open position. FIG. 2 is a side view of the applicator of FIG. 1 with the operating handle housing partially shown in cross section and the handle in the pull position. FIG. 3 is a side view of the rotary translator. FIG. 4a is a side view of the rotating drum. FIG. 4b is a longitudinal sectional view of the rotating drum of FIG. 4a. FIG. 5 is a front view of the reverse motion preventing disk. 6 (a) to 6 (g) are continuous views of the reverse movement prevention mechanism, in which (a) the disk is in the rear groove, (b) and (c) are between the two grooves, d) in the forward groove, in (e) and (f) between the two grooves, in (g) again in the rear groove, and with the permitted movement of the operating handle and cartridge mechanism. The direction of movement is indicated by an arrow. FIG. 7 is an exploded view showing components of a modified embodiment of the reverse movement prevention mechanism according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a front view of the reverse motion preventing spring of the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 9 is a front view of the reverse movement preventing spring of the embodiment of FIG. 7 and shows the position of the reciprocating translator. FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (e) are continuous views of the reverse motion prevention mechanism of FIGS. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 7, showing the position of the spring and leaf spring, and the reciprocating translator when moving in the opposite direction. 12 is a perspective view of the mechanism of FIG. 7, showing the position of the spring and leaf spring, and showing the reciprocating translator when moving in opposite directions.

  Referring to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a repetitive multi-clip applier 10 includes an operating handle housing 12 and a clip applicator cartridge 14.

  The operation handle housing 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a handle grip 12c, a central portion defining a central chamber 12e, and a front cylindrical portion 12f defining a front chamber 12g. have.

  A trigger 18 for driving the applier mechanism is mounted on the housing so as to pivot about an axis A-A 'perpendicular to FIG. The trigger has a hanging grip 18.

  When the trigger is pulled, movement is transmitted to the clip cartridge mechanism (not shown) via the fixed translator slide 20 and the rotary translator 22. The trigger acts to counter the forward bias of the bar spring 16 with the end 16a held in the recess 20a of the translator slide.

  Rotational translator 22 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3), together with anti-reverse mechanism 24, rotatable drum 26, and thumbwheel hub 28, form a subassembly that includes stationary translator 20 and The clip cartridge 14 is interconnected, thereby transmitting a linear reciprocating motion having a certain range of motion, a function adapting to the rotating motion of the clip cartridge, and attaching / detaching the clip cartridge to the operation handle. It achieves the enabling function and the function of providing the anti-reverse capability for the operating handle and the cartridge mechanism.

  The rotating drum subassemblies 22, 24, 26 include a rotating translator 22 disposed axially within the drum 26. The anti-reverse disk 24 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) is defined by an opening center 24a and extends radially from the center to define a plurality of inward spring fingers 24c. This fits onto the rotary translator 22 and is assembled with the drum cap 26i on the extended rear flange 26h of the rotary drum (FIGS. 1 and 2). In the normal position of the clip applicator when the trigger is released, the anti-reverse spring finger 24c is located in the rear anti-reverse groove as shown in FIG.

  The rotating drum subassembly is assembled in the front chamber 12g of the operating handle housing. The central portion 22c (FIG. 3) of the rotary translator shaft is provided with anti-reverse grooves 22d and 22e at an interval, and the distance between these grooves is equal to the distance of linear reciprocation of the fixed translator. Approximately equal to the linear range of motion of the clip applicator mechanism.

  The operation of the reverse motion prevention mechanism is shown in FIGS.

  In the position of the mechanism of FIGS. 1 and 6 a, the handle trigger 18 is in the open position and the anti-reverse disk 24 is in the anti-reverse groove 22 d behind the rotary translator 22. When the trigger is pulled (to crimp the clip and attach it to the surgical site) (FIG. 2), the rotary translator moves in the direction of arrow 6a. As the rotary translator continues to move, the disc spring fingers 24c engage the outer surface 22c of the rotary translator as shown in FIGS. The reverse motion prevention mechanism applied to the outer surface 22c of the rotary translator by the slanted spring fingers 24c (FIGS. 6b-c) allows continuous movement in the direction of arrow 6a, Movement in the direction is suppressed. If the surgeon releases the trigger without pulling it to the stroke limit, for example, if the anti-reverse component is left in the position of FIG. 6c, the anti-reverse mechanism will attempt to return the trigger to the open position. The position of the rotary translator is held against the bias by the bar spring 16. In this holding position of FIG. 6c, the jaws of the applicator hold the incompletely crimped clip and prevent it from falling to the surgical site. If the trigger is continuously pulled (in the direction of arrow 6a), the rotary translator moves through the position of FIG. 6c to the position of FIG. 6d, and the spring finger 24c enters the forward groove 22e.

  In this position (FIG. 6d), the rotary translator can move forward (in the direction of the arrow 6c) (by the force of the return spring 16 when the trigger is released). During this forward movement, the forward movement can be continued by the effect of the spring finger 24c, while the movement in the direction of the arrow 6e is suppressed. When the surgeon holds the handle trigger in the state of the component as shown in FIG. 6f, the reverse movement prevention mechanism prevents the surgeon from pulling the trigger in the direction of the arrow 6e. The surgeon must release the trigger completely so that the component reaches the position of FIG. 6g. When the spring finger 24c enters the rear groove 22d as shown in FIG. 6g, the direction of movement can be changed again.

  Pulling the trigger against the force of the bar spring causes a linear movement in a single direction to the rear of the fixed translator. At this time, the rotary translator passes through the fixed spring finger of the backlash prevention disk, and the cartridge casing The pulling rod comes out of it and eventually the trigger and stationary translator reach the end of the stroke, and the spring finger of the anti-back disc is positioned in the forward groove. The backward stroke is now complete, and when the trigger is released, the fixed spring is biased forward by the bar spring, and all components reach the normal position.

  If the triggering force is removed without reaching the limit of the linear travel range, the anti-return spring finger has not reached its forward groove and still remains in contact with the outer surface of the rotary translator. The spring fingers in contact with the outer surface function as a brake, contrary to the action of a bar spring that forces the released component back to its normal position. Thus, in the state where the trigger is pulled halfway, the clip crimped by the jaw portion of the instrument falls from the jaw portion to the surgical site if the jaw portion is opened again by returning the mechanism to the normal position. For this reason, the anti-reverse mechanism keeps the instrument in the “pull position midway” against the force that returns the bar spring to its normal position, and most importantly, the incompletely crimped clip is removed from the jaws. Prevents falling. The anti-reverse device retention action is removed by simply pulling the trigger to the limit, so that the spring fingers can enter the forward groove and turn back "in the middle", after which the rotating translator can be It is possible to pass through. It should be noted that the backlash prevention mechanism is effective in both directions. The anti-reverse mechanism is also effective when the trigger is released after it has been pulled to its limit, and even if there is an “incomplete release” of the trigger, the trigger is It needs to be completely released and returned to the normal position. The design requirement for full release achieved by the backlash prevention mechanism prevents double loading of clips into the jaws of the cartridge.

  As a further aspect of the back movement prevention mechanism, the cartridge can be rotated around the axis BB ′ when the back movement prevention mechanism holds the instrument in the middle pull position, so that Even after it has occurred, the surgeon can adjust the position of the cartridge or jaw.

  A modified embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7-12, in which the backlash prevention mechanism 30 assembly includes a reciprocating translator 32, a backlash prevention spring 34, and a fixed mounting pocket 36. Have.

  The reciprocating translator 32 is an active component of an actuating mechanism (not shown) in which a task is assigned, which is accomplished by a fixed distance back and forth or movement. Movement may be transmitted directly or indirectly to the reciprocating translator by means of a generally manually operated component that forms part of the actuation mechanism, and the movement may be stopped by the operator during the stroke. A typical actuation mechanism of this type is a surgical instrument in the hands of a surgeon performing a medical procedure.

  The translator has a block body with opposing sides 32a-b and 32c-d that have a rectangular cross section and are substantially planar and parallel (FIGS. 11-12). Opposing sides (eg, 32c and 32d) have a transition point 32e defined by a first and second set of recesses 32f on the surface thereof. The recess can be a groove 32h (one set) or a shoulder 32i (another set) on the opposite side of the translator. The translator transition points are separated by a distance equal to the range of motion provided to the translator as a component of the actuation mechanism. As will be appreciated in the following description of the backlash prevention spring, having a transition point allows the spring action in the translator to be neutralized when the spring is at the transition point.

  The anti-reverse spring 34 is preferably made of a spring steel rectangular plate, the inner part of which is removed by metal stamping or the like, thereby having side struts 34a-b and end struts 34c-d. The inner opening 34f is defined leaving a single body. A leaf spring portion 34e integrated with the end strut protrudes toward the inside of the inner opening 34f of the spring, and the edge 34g of the leaf spring portion is in a substantially parallel relationship. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner side 34f of the spring is adapted to the body cross section of the reciprocating translator for both its reciprocal movement and reverse movement. In FIG. 9, the leaf | plate spring part in the position of the transition point 32e of a translator is shown. The spring can be made of any suitable material and can be formed into the spring shape shown in FIGS. 8, 11 and 12 to exert the spring action required for the leaf spring portion 34e.

  The translator and spring are assembled to a support housing, preferably in the form of a fixed mounting pocket 36, disposed within the host actuating mechanism. The mounting pocket is a U-shaped housing 36a that defines a pocket or chamber 36b for accommodating the body of the reciprocating translator between opposing arms 36c. Each arm has a recess in the form of a V-shaped channel 36d and the opposing channels are aligned so that, as shown in FIG. 10, the anti-reverse spring 34 is attached to its side strut 34a. ~ B is received and held. Referring to FIG. 7, the mechanism is assembled by inserting a spring 34 into a channel 36d and passing a translator through the spring interior 34f so that the leaf spring portion 34e enters the transition groove 32h.

10a to 10e show the operation of the reverse motion prevention spring mechanism.
Starting from a state where the leaf spring part 34e is in the transition shoulder part 32i and is stopped (FIG. 10a);
When moved to the right (FIGS. 10b and 12), the edge of the leaf spring portion 34e engages the side portions 32c-d of the translator and bends in the direction of movement, which allows the translator to continue moving to the right, Also, the reverse movement of the translator is prevented by biting into and engaging the side portions 32c-d;
When the edge of the leaf spring part 34e enters the transition groove 32h (FIG. 10c), the suppression effect by the edge of the leaf spring part is neutralized and the movement of the translator to the right is stopped;
When moving in reverse (FIGS. 10d and 11), the leaf spring will bend in the direction of movement of the translator;
The leaf spring portion again enters the transition shoulder portion 32i and stops (FIG. 10e).

  The structure implementing the principles of the invention can be varied in many ways. The above-described embodiments have been described by way of example and are not meant to be limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (6)

A reverse motion prevention mechanism for a device that reciprocates linearly by a back and forth stroke over a distance that defines a certain range of motion,
A reciprocating translator having opposing substantially parallel sides, the opposing sides having first and second transition points formed on the sides at a distance of approximately equal distance to the constant range of motion. A reciprocating translator; and
An anti-reverse spring having an inner opening, the spring further having a leaf spring portion that protrudes into and faces the opening portion, and the edges of the leaf spring portion are in a facing relationship. Prevention springs,
A support housing having a recessed portion with a uniform position for receiving and holding the spring;
The spring is held in the operative position by the recess and receives the reciprocating translator in the inner opening so that the movement of the translator is within a constant range of motion between the first and second transition points. Reverse motion prevention mechanism limited to the entire range. A reverse motion prevention mechanism for a device that reciprocates linearly by a back and forth stroke over a distance that defines a certain range of motion,
A reciprocating translator having opposing substantially parallel sides, the opposing sides having first and second transition points formed on the sides at a distance of approximately equal distance to the constant range of motion. A reciprocating translator; and
An anti-reverse spring having an inner opening, the spring further having a leaf spring portion that protrudes into and faces the opening portion, and the edges of the leaf spring portion are in a facing relationship. Prevention springs,
A U-shaped support housing defining a pocket adapted to the translator that reciprocates in the fixed range of motion;
The support housing has a recessed recess aligned to receive and hold the spring, whereby the spring is held in an operating position to receive the reciprocating translator in an inner opening of the spring, Therefore, the movement of the translator is limited to the entire range of a certain range of motion between the first and second transition points. A reverse motion prevention mechanism for a device that reciprocates linearly by a back and forth stroke over a distance that defines a certain range of motion,
A reciprocating translator having opposing substantially parallel sides, the opposing sides having first and second transition points formed on the sides at a distance of approximately equal distance to the constant range of motion. A reciprocating translator; and
An anti-reverse spring having an inner opening, the spring further having a leaf spring portion that protrudes into and faces the opening portion, and the edges of the leaf spring portion are in a facing relationship. Prevention springs,
A U-shaped support housing defining a pocket adapted to the translator that reciprocates in the fixed range of motion;
The support housing has V-shaped recesses on both sides of the pocket for receiving and holding the spring on both sides of the pocket, whereby the spring is held in the operating position, and the inner opening of the spring A reciprocation prevention mechanism, wherein the reciprocating translator is received, whereby movement of the translator is limited to the entire range of a certain range of motion between the first and second transition points.   The reverse movement prevention mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the first and second transition points formed at intervals are concave portions on a side portion of the translator.   The reverse movement prevention mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a first one of the recesses is a shoulder portion, and the other recesses are channels formed by adjacent shoulders.   The reverse movement prevention mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the concave portion that is the shoulder portion is at an end portion of the translator that is first inserted into the pocket.

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