Autoclavable Handle Switch Sealing via Web Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Handles with electrical switch elements used in medical settings face challenges during autoclaving, as they require dismantling, which allows contaminants and moisture to enter, and the adhesive bonding between components can fail over time, leading to unreliable sterilization and increased operating costs.

Innovation Solution

The handle design features switch elements that can be pressed resiliently into the housing via a web arrangement, sealed by a circumferential element made of autoclavable material, eliminating the need for joins and ensuring reliable autoclave cleaning without compromising sealing integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the handle is designed with switch elements that require dismantling for sterilization, then the electronics can be protected from direct autoclaving, but contaminants and moisture can enter during operation and the process requires significant time and labor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronics during sterilizationVSAvoidcontaminant and moisture ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The switch element is integrated directly into the handle housing as a single-piece construction, eliminating the need for dismantling. The switch element with its actuating element is mounted in the handle housing and sealed off circumferentially, creating an integrated assembly that can be sterilized without disassembly while preventing contaminant ingress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the handle is designed with dismantlable components for sterilization, then the electronics can be protected, but the dismantling and reassembly process increases operating costs and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of electronics during sterilizationVSAvoidtime for dismantling and reassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If adhesive bonding is used to join handle components, then assembly is simplified, but the adhesive seam ages and fails during repeated autoclaving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of assemblyVSAvoidintegrity of adhesive bond during autoclaving

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The switch element is integrated directly into the handle housing as a single-piece construction, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding. The switch element is mounted via at least one web arranged on its underside, creating a mechanical connection that remains reliable during repeated autoclaving cycles without the aging problems associated with adhesive seams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The switch element is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced. The integration via web mounting allows for simple replacement of the entire switch element assembly without requiring precision adhesive bonding, making the handle more reliable for repeated sterilization cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If the switch element is sealed off from the handle housing, then sterilization reliability is improved, but the switch element actuation may be restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing integrity during sterilizationVSAvoidswitch element actuation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The circumferential sealing element uses a flexible sealing mechanism that allows the switch element to be actuated while maintaining the seal. The sealing element is arranged between the switch element and handle housing, creating a seal that can accommodate the movement of the actuating element during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides a handle that is resistant to machine cleaning and steam sterilization, ensuring reliable operation and reducing maintenance costs by preventing contamination and moisture ingress, while maintaining secure and defined actuation of switch elements.

Implementation Method 1

a spring element is mounted on the switch element in such a way that the spring element presses the switch element outward from the handle housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the switch element is sealed off from the handle housing via a circumferential sealing element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 3

Steam is then let into the sterilizing chamber of the autoclave and heated in the sterilization phase to 134° C., and the devices to be sterilized, which are situated in the autoclave, are sterilized at a pressure of 3 bar for a period of at least 5 minutes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteam sterilization:

Data Source

PatentUS11141235B2Autoclavable handle

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG

AI summary

An autoclavable handle (5) includes a handle housing (9) and with at least one switch element (11) mounted to the handle housing (9). The autoclavable handle (5) is permanently resistant to the effects of machine cleaning and of steam sterilization. The at least one switch element (11) is resiliently pressable into the handle housing (9). The switch element (11) is mounted in the handle housing (9) via at least one web (16) arranged on an underside of the switch element (11). The switch element (11) is sealed off from the handle housing (9) via a circumferential sealing element (12).