Medical Instrument Connector Alignment Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for medical instruments like bipolar electrodes or forceps face challenges in accurately aligning the arms during the assembly process, particularly during the curing time of bonding agents, leading to potential misalignment and compromised instrument quality.
Innovation Solution
A connector featuring an alignment element that stabilizes and aligns the arms relative to a housing element, allowing for precise positioning before insertion, which can be friction-locked or mechanically fastened, eliminating the need for additional stabilization devices and bonding agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bonding agents are used to fix the arms within the housing element, then the arms can be held together, but the arms may shift from their intended position during the curing time, impairing the quality of the medical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment element is inserted into the housing element before the bonding agent is applied, establishing the correct position of the arms in advance. This preliminary positioning action ensures that the arms are accurately aligned before the bonding process begins, preventing any shifting during curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment element acts as an intermediary component between the arms and the housing element. It provides a mechanical interface that maintains precise alignment of the arms relative to the housing element during the bonding process, eliminating the need for complex fixation devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If fabrication machines are used to hold and align the arms during curing, then alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector assembly is designed to be self-aligning through the alignment element, which automatically positions the arms correctly when inserted into the housing element. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external fabrication machines or complex alignment equipment, simplifying the assembly process while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment function is extracted from the complex fabrication machine system and integrated directly into the connector components themselves. The alignment element and housing element together provide the alignment capability that previously required external equipment, thereby reducing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional stabilization devices are used to hold the arms during assembly, then alignment stability is improved, but the connector structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment and stabilization functions are merged into the basic connector components - the alignment element and the housing element. These two components work together to provide both alignment and stability during assembly, eliminating the need for separate stabilization devices and reducing overall structural complexity.
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
Ensures accurate and stable alignment of the arms, enhancing the quality of the medical instrument by preventing misalignment and allowing for secure fixation without the reliance on bonding agents, thus improving the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
The alignment element may be held within the housing element by friction. In particular, in a preferred embodiment, the alignment element is insertable into a chamber of the housing element until it reaches a final position, in which position the friction between the alignment element and the housing element is strongest.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a connector (1), a medical instrument and a method for manufacturing a medical instrument (2) according to the present invention. The connector comprises an alignment element (4) for receiving an end portion of at least one of the arms (3) of the instrument (2), thereby to align the arm (3) or arms (3) relative to the alignment element (4); and a housing element (7), in particular a bushing element, for receiving and holding the alignment element (4), wherein the alignment element (4) is insertable into the housing element (7). The medical instrument (2) comprises a connector (1) according to the present invention.