Buckling Wire Needle Protection in Surgical Felting Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical felting devices face risks of needle damage and loss due to collisions with rigid structures, posing safety hazards for operators and patients.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device equipped with a buckling wire that absorbs compression forces upon contact with rigid structures, preventing needle damage by buckling and transferring motion to the felting needle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a manually handled surgical felting device with high-speed needle motion is used, then felting efficiency and fixation quality are improved, but the risk of needle damage and loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
A buckling wire is integrated into the needle assembly beforehand, positioned to act as a protective cushioning element. When the needle encounters rigid structures during high-speed operation, the buckling wire deforms elastically to absorb impact forces, preventing needle breakage and reducing the risk of needle loss while maintaining high felting efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The buckling wire serves as an intermediary protective element between the needle and rigid structures. It mediates the interaction by deforming under impact loads, thereby protecting the needle from direct contact with damaging forces while allowing the needle to continue performing its felting function
2Strength
If the needle moves at high speeds to improve felting performance, then fixation strength is enhanced, but the risk of needle breaking or splintering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buckling wire is pre-installed in the needle assembly as a protective cushioning element. During high-speed needle motion that creates strong fixation, the buckling wire absorbs impact forces from collisions with rigid structures, preventing needle breaking or splintering while maintaining the enhanced fixation strength achieved through high-speed operation
3Ease of operation
If manual handling of the felting device is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but the risk of needle damage from operator error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The buckling wire provides self-protecting functionality within the needle assembly. When collisions occur during manual operation, the buckling wire automatically deforms to absorb impact forces, protecting the needle without requiring operator intervention or complex control systems, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while improving needle safety
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
The buckling wire protects the felting needle from breaking or bending, ensuring safe and reliable operation, reducing the risk of needle loss and improving safety for both operators and patients.
Implementation Method 1
The buckling wire is configured to buckle if the at least one felting needle contacts the rigid structure such that the buckling wire axially compresses. Thereby, the buckling wire absorbs the compression forces acting on the needle by bending
Implementation Method 2
The buckling wire is configured to transfer the reciprocal motion from the actuator to the at least one felting needle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical device for felting an implant to soft tissue of a patient. The device comprises at least one felting needle that is configured to move reciprocally. The device comprises a needle protection mechanism to prevent the at least one felting needle from being damaged due to a contact with rigid structure during the reciprocal motion. The needle protection mechanism comprises a buckling wire that is configured to transfer the reciprocal motion from the actuator to the at least one felting needle. The buckling wire is configured to buckle if the at least one felting needle contacts the rigid structure such that the buckling wire axially compressed.