Curable Material Dispensing Mechanism for Drool Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing curable material dispensing systems require excessive space, consume time in assembly, lack maneuverability during surgical procedures, and fail to prevent unintended delivery of material due to 'drool' when pressure gradients change.
Innovation Solution
A curable material dispensing system with a lead screw and locking nut mechanism that allows for controlled distal advancement and proximal decompression of material, featuring a backdrivable design with a unidirectional torque mechanism and adjustable actuator to minimize unintended material release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a traditional dispensing system is used, then the system can deliver curable material, but the system requires excessive space and lacks maneuverability during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tube is designed to be nested within or alongside the dispensing system housing, allowing compact storage and transport while enabling full extension during use. This nesting approach reduces the overall volume footprint without compromising the functional length needed for surgical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension tube incorporates flexible or articulated sections that allow dynamic positioning and bending during surgical procedures. This dynamic capability enables the tube to navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining a compact form when not in use, resolving the contradiction between space requirements and maneuverability.
2Productivity
If the dispensing system is activated to deliver material, then material flow is initiated, but unintended delivery occurs due to pressure gradient changes causing 'drool'
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates pressure sensors and flow sensors that continuously monitor the dispensing process. When abnormal pressure gradients are detected that could cause drool, the control system automatically adjusts the pump speed or closes valves to prevent unintended material delivery, ensuring reliable control while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system uses pulsed or periodic material delivery rather than continuous flow. This periodic action allows pressure to equalize between deliveries, preventing the pressure gradient buildup that causes drool, while still achieving the required material delivery volume through repeated cycles.
3Volume of moving object
If the system components are separated for storage, then space efficiency is improved, but assembly time is consumed during surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The extension tube and dispensing system are pre-assembled and pre-sterilized as a complete unit before packaging. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for time-consuming assembly during surgical procedures while maintaining compact storage through optimized design. The pre-assembled unit is ready for immediate use upon unpacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple components (extension tube, dispensing chamber, control mechanisms) into a single unified assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that would need assembly, saving time during surgical procedures while the integrated design maintains space efficiency through optimized component arrangement.
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 system reduces space requirements, enhances maneuverability, and prevents unintended material delivery by allowing precise control over material flow, minimizing 'drool' and improving tactile feedback for the physician.
Implementation Method 1
A lead screw is rotatably fixed relative to the first control surface. The lead screw includes a proximal end, a distal end, external threads at least partially disposed between the proximal and distal ends, and a translation axis defined between the proximal and distal ends. A plunger is coupled to the lead screw with the plunger disposed within the dispensing volume. The plunger is adapted to be advanced distally along the translation axis to compress the curable material within the dispensing volume in response to the first control surface receiving the primary input force.
Implementation Method 2
The internal threads of the locking nut and the external threads of the lead screw are configured to provide for rotation of the locking nut about the translation axis when the actuator is in the disengaged position to permit the plunger to move proximally along the translation axis and permit the compressed curable material to at least partially decompress within the dispensing volume.
Implementation Method 3
An actuator having a second control surface that is adapted to receive a secondary input force from the user to engage the actuator and the engagement feature of the locking nut in an engaged position and disengage the actuator and the engagement feature of the locking nut in a disengaged position.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dispensing curable material. A lead screw is rotatably fixed relative to a first control surface and includes external threads. A locking nut includes internal threads threadably engaging the external threads. The threads provide for rotation of the locking nut about a translation axis when the actuator is in a disengaged position. Rotation of the locking nut permits the lead screw to move proximally along the axis and the compressed curable material to at least partially decompress within a dispensing volume. The threads further provide for distal advancement of the lead screw along the axis when the actuator is in an engaged position rotatably fixing the locking nut about the axis. Methods for operating and packaging the curable material dispensing system are also described.