Conductive Cannula Reducer for Leakage Current Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments requiring different cannula sizes cause inefficiency and potential trauma, and insulative reducer devices interfere with capacitive coupling, leading to electrical energy misdirection and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A tubular reducer device with an electrically conductive component forming a localized conductive path between the instrument and cannula, using materials like metals or metal alloys to ensure consistent contact and dissipate leakage current.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a polymer or insulative material is used for the reducer device, then manufacturing cost is reduced and manufacturing is facilitated, but electrical energy dissipation is interfered with and leakage current cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The reducer device combines insulative polymer material for the main body with electrically conductive material (such as metal coating or conductive polymer layer) applied to specific surfaces or components. This composite structure maintains manufacturing advantages of polymers while providing necessary electrical conductivity for safe energy dissipation through the cannula to ground.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire reducer device conductive, electrical conductivity is applied only to specific localized areas where contact with the cannula occurs. This could be through conductive coatings, metal inserts, or conductive grommets at the interface regions, allowing electrical energy dissipation while maintaining insulative properties elsewhere for manufacturing efficiency.
2Reliability
If a conductive pathway is provided through the reducer device, then electrical energy dissipation is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive pathway function is extracted from the main reducer device body and implemented as a separate, integrated component such as a conductive coating layer or metal insert. This separation allows the conductive element to be applied or installed independently, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while ensuring reliable electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive component serves multiple functions: it provides electrical energy dissipation, maintains structural integrity at the interface, and facilitates contact between the instrument and cannula. By designing a multi-functional element, the number of separate components is reduced, thereby decreasing overall device complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large cannula is inserted to accommodate larger instruments, then instrument versatility is improved, but patient trauma increases due to larger incision required
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula system is segmented into multiple functional components: the outer cannula provides the large diameter needed for versatile instrument accommodation, while the inner reducer device creates a smaller effective aperture. This segmentation allows the incision to be sized for the largest possible instrument while the reducer enables use of smaller instruments, thereby minimizing patient trauma while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The reducer device is nested within the cannula, creating a concentric structure where the smaller reducer is contained within the larger cannula. This nesting arrangement allows the effective inside diameter to be reduced without requiring a smaller outer cannula, enabling patient trauma minimization while preserving instrument versatility.
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
Facilitates efficient surgical procedures by providing a reliable conductive pathway for electrical energy dissipation, reducing patient trauma and maintaining instrument functionality.
Implementation Method 1
contact or sufficient proximity between the conductive cannula and a conductive portion of the instrument permits a conductive pathway from the instrument to the cannula to dissipate any leakage current
Data Source
AI summary
A method of making a reducer device for a cannula comprising forming a tubular member having a proximal end opening, a distal end opening, and an interior passage extending between the proximal end opening and the distal end opening; forming a protrusion extending radially outwardly from an exterior surface of the tubular member; and coupling an electrically conductive structure to the tubular member such that the electrically conductive structure forms an electrically conductive pathway that extends from the interior passage to an exterior of the tubular member.