Angled Nozzle Design for Surgical Access Assembly Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing access assemblies for surgical instruments, such as endoscopes, face challenges in effectively cleaning the lens during surgeries due to the design of the nozzle, which can leave water residues and require additional irrigation, increasing surgery time and infection risk, and the mold deformation issues leading to reduced production yield.
Innovation Solution
The access assembly features a nozzle oriented at an angle α relative to the longitudinal axis of the distal end member, with α ≤ 15 degrees, allowing directional fluid ejection to cover the entire cleaning space, and a scraping device positioned away from the nozzle to prevent water residue, along with a radial distance between the nozzle and central axis greater than a quarter of the tubular housing's outer diameter, enhancing cleaning efficacy and production yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle is positioned close to the central axis of the distal end member to clean the lens, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the fluid channel length increases causing mold deformation and reduced production yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the nozzle orientation from parallel to the central axis (0 degrees) to an angled position (15-45 degrees). This parameter change allows the nozzle to be positioned radially outward, increasing the distance from the central axis while maintaining effective cleaning coverage through directional fluid ejection at the angled orientation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle is positioned close to the central axis to achieve cleaning coverage, then the lens cleaning effectiveness is improved, but water residue remains on the lens after scraping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the nozzle orientation from parallel to the central axis (0 degrees) to an angled position (15-45 degrees). This parameter change allows the nozzle to be positioned radially outward, increasing the distance from the central axis while maintaining effective cleaning coverage through directional fluid ejection at the angled orientation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the fluid channel is made longer to reach the lens from a centrally positioned nozzle, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but the mold insert length increases causing mold deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the nozzle orientation from parallel to the central axis (0 degrees) to an angled position (15-45 degrees). This parameter change allows the nozzle to be positioned radially outward, increasing the distance from the central axis while maintaining effective cleaning coverage through directional fluid ejection at the angled orientation.
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 design ensures effective cleaning of the surgical instrument lens at any angle and position within the access assembly, reduces water residue, and improves production yield by minimizing mold deformation and extending the life of the mold.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the plurality of sealing valves includes a nozzle for ejecting a fluid, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid, and a distal end member fluid channel for fluidly communicating the fluid inlet and the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An access assembly for a surgical instrument, including: a tube member, a proximal sealing device connecting the surgical instrument to a proximal end of the tube member in a sealed manner, a distal end member connected with the tube member, a fluid supply passage for providing the fluid to the access assembly and a fluid discharge passage for the access assembly to discharge the fluid. The distal end member includes: a tubular housing connected with a distal end of the tube member; and a plurality of sealing valves arranged at a distal end of the tubular housing and configured to open and seal a distal end of the access assembly. At least one sealing valve includes a nozzle for ejecting a fluid, a fluid inlet for receiving the fluid, and a distal end member fluid channel for fluidly communicating the fluid inlet and the nozzle.