Published Technical Disclosure Archive

Enhanced Surgical Instrument with Dual Articulation Joints

Publication ID: 24-11857189_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Surgical Instrument with Dual Articulation Joints,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857189_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857189_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,189.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

An improved surgical instrument featuring dual articulation joints for enhanced flexibility and dexterity during minimally invasive robotic surgery, providing better surgical outcomes and reduced tissue damage.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a surgical instrument with a single articulation joint, which limited its flexibility and dexterity during surgery. The new inventive concept addresses this limitation by incorporating dual articulation joints, enabling more precise and efficient surgical procedures.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced surgical instrument comprises a housing, a closure driver, and a shaft assembly extending from the housing. The shaft assembly features two articulation joints, allowing for flexible movement along the shaft axis. The first articulation joint adjusts the angle of the instrument, while the second articulation joint further adjusts the angle, providing enhanced dexterity during surgery. Additionally, the second shaft segment can rotate around the shaft axis, enabling more precise control. The inventive concept also encompasses a method for performing minimally invasive surgery and a system for robotic-assisted surgery.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new claims introduce the concept of dual articulation joints, which provides a significant improvement in flexibility and dexterity compared to the original patent's single articulation joint. This inventive step enables more precise and efficient surgical procedures, reducing tissue damage and improving surgical outcomes.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments may include varying the design of the articulation joints, incorporating additional joints, or integrating sensors and machine learning algorithms to optimize instrument movement. Variations may also include adapting the inventive concept for use in different types of surgical procedures or medical specialties.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced surgical instrument has significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of minimally invasive robotic surgery and robotic-assisted surgery. The target market includes hospitals, surgical centers, and medical device manufacturers seeking to improve surgical outcomes and reduce costs.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/07207
A A61 A61B17/105
A A61 A61B17/29
A A61 A61B34/30
A A61 A61B34/35
A A61 A61B34/37
A A61 A61B34/71
A A61 A61B17/00234
A A61 A61B2017/00309
A A61 A61B2017/00314
A A61 A61B2017/00398
A A61 A61B2017/00477
A A61 A61B2017/07214
A A61 A61B2017/07271
A A61 A61B2017/07278
A A61 A61B2017/2903
A A61 A61B2017/2908
A A61 A61B2017/2929

Field of Art

Minimally invasive robotic surgical instrumentation, encompassing medical device design, surgical robotics, and biomechanical engineering with expertise in articulating surgical tools and robotic surgical systems

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced degrees, experience in robotic surgical systems, understanding of mechanical articulation mechanisms, and knowledge of surgical instrument design principles

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that adding a second articulation joint to enhance instrument flexibility is a predictable engineering solution for improving surgical dexterity. The source patent's single articulation joint provides a clear technological foundation that would naturally suggest expanding articulation capabilities. The proposed variations represent incremental improvements using known mechanical design techniques within the established technological framework of robotic surgical instruments.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Shaft assembly with first shaft segment and articulation capability
PTD Variation
Adding a second articulation joint to enable further angle adjustment and rotation
Obviousness Reasoning
Expanding articulation points is a standard design approach for increasing surgical instrument flexibility, representing a predictable variation using known mechanical engineering techniques
Source Patent Element
Closure driver transmitting motion through shaft assembly
PTD Variation
Incorporating machine learning algorithms to optimize instrument movement
Obviousness Reasoning
Integrating computational control with mechanical systems is a recognized method for improving precision in robotic surgical instruments, representing an obvious technological progression
Source Patent Element
Single articulation joint in surgical instrument
PTD Variation
Dual articulation joints with independent angle adjustment capabilities
Obviousness Reasoning
Increasing degrees of freedom in surgical instruments is a known technique for enhancing surgical precision, representing a logical extension of existing design principles
Source Patent Element
Robotic surgical system with master control console
PTD Variation
Enhanced slave robotic system with improved articulation joint configuration
Obviousness Reasoning
Iterative improvements to robotic surgical system components are expected and represent standard technological development in medical device engineering
Source Patent Element
Shaft assembly with linear motion capabilities
PTD Variation
Second shaft segment configured to rotate around shaft axis
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding rotational capabilities to existing linear motion mechanisms is a predictable engineering solution for increasing instrument versatility
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. ยง 103, the variations disclosed herein would have been obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art at the time of invention, as they represent predictable technological extensions of US Patent 11857189, employing known mechanical design techniques to enhance surgical instrument flexibility and precision through additional articulation mechanisms and computational control strategies.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,189
TitleSurgical instrument including first and second articulation joints
Assignee(s)Cilag GmbH International