Actively Adherent Surface for Particulate Capture in Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments often experience particulate contamination during manufacturing and transportation, leading to concerns about functionality and potential discarding of otherwise functional devices.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of actively adherent internal surfaces within the surgical instrument's housing, combined with a selectively removable cover over the opening, captures and retains particulates, preventing them from exiting the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If openings are provided in the housing for functionality, then the instrument can operate properly, but particulates may exit the housing through these openings
Solution Approach 1:
An actively adherent coating is applied as an intermediary layer on the internal surfaces of the housing, particularly around the openings. This coating acts as a mediator that captures particulates through adhesion, preventing them from exiting through the functional openings while maintaining the openings' operational integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface properties of the housing interior by applying an actively adherent coating. This parameter change transforms the surface from a non-adherent state to an actively adherent state, enabling it to capture and retain particulates through chemical or physical adhesion mechanisms.
2Reliability
If particulates are captured and retained, then the instrument functionality is protected, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actively adherent coating provides self-service by automatically capturing and retaining particulates through its inherent adhesion properties. The coating continuously monitors and captures particulates without requiring external mechanical systems, sensors, or active control mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the surface parameter of the housing interior through coating application, the system achieves particulate capture functionality without adding complex mechanical structures. The parameter change enables a passive, low-complexity solution that protects reliability through material property modification rather than system complexity increase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the housing is sealed to prevent particulate exit, then particulate contamination is reduced, but the openings necessary for functionality are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The actively adherent coating is applied locally to specific areas of the housing interior, particularly around and near the functional openings. This local quality approach ensures that the coating captures particulates in the critical zones where they would otherwise exit through the openings, while the openings themselves remain unobstructed and fully functional.
Solution Approach 2:
The coating serves as an intermediary layer that exists between the particulates and the openings. It intercepts and captures particulates through adhesion, preventing them from reaching the openings while allowing the openings to maintain their structural integrity and functional accessibility.
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 solution effectively limits the exit of particulates from the surgical instrument, reducing concerns about functionality and extending the life of the device, while maintaining necessary openings for functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an actively adherent internal surface disposed on at least some of the interior of the hollow housing. The actively adherent internal surface is configured to capture particulates that exist within the housing
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical instruments with an actively adherent internal surface and a cover disposed within an opening is disclosed. The actively adherent internal surface and cover captures particulates that exist within the housing of the surgical instrument and limits the particles that may exit the housing from the opening.