Accuracy plays a vital role in the design and functionality of surgical instruments. Conventional surgical forceps often face challenges such as the impact of natural hand tremors and an inconsistent correlation between the applied operating force and the resulting clamping force, affecting surgical precision.
Innovation in Surgical Forceps Technology
A study featured in Sensors highlights the development of an advanced force-holding surgical forceps by a research team from the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. These forceps incorporate a force-holding mechanism designed to enhance clamping precision while reducing surgeon fatigue during prolonged operations.
Identifying Limitations in Traditional Surgical Forceps
Researchers conducted an in-depth analysis of traditional surgical forceps and identified key issues:
- Unintentional hand movements (tremors) compromise surgical accuracy.
- Lack of force feedback makes it difficult to measure the applied clamping force on tissues.
- Biomechanical compatibility challenges due to inconsistent force application.
To address these concerns, the research team developed a novel force-holding surgical forceps to provide enhanced control and stability during surgeries.
Engineering and Design Enhancements
The design of these forceps was inspired by the lever principle, ensuring efficient clamping functionality. The following steps were undertaken to refine their performance:
- A kinematic model of the clamping mechanism was developed using geometric analysis.
- Simulations conducted using ADAMS software validated the model.
- Stress analysis helped create a dynamic model to optimize performance.
- Finite element simulations were used to refine the structure, ensuring mechanical durability.
Performance Evaluation and Testing
To assess the effectiveness of the prototype, researchers:
- Developed a specialized experimental setup to test clamping force and stability.
- Used silicone material to simulate human tissue for realistic testing.
- Analyzed the force-holding feature, which resulted in consistent and stable contact force.
- Found that without the force-holding function, there were significant force fluctuations.
Benefits of the Force-Holding Surgical Forceps
The research underscores the advantages of this innovative design, including:
- Improved clamping precision for delicate surgical procedures.
- Minimized physical fatigue for surgeons, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Optimized fundamental frequency, exceeding physiological tremors, ensuring greater stability during surgery.
Conclusion: Advancing Biomechanical Compatibility
This study addresses pressing challenges in surgical precision and advances the goal of improving biomechanical compatibility between surgical tools and human tissues. The innovation of force-holding surgical forceps marks a significant leap forward in medical technology, paving the way for safer and more efficient surgical procedures.
Read :- Introduction to Endosurgery : Evolution And Advancements.
More :- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11435998/
