Deformable Multi-Piece Grip Suction Instrument
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction devices used in ENT procedures and other medical procedures lack features that facilitate easy access to internal components for clearing blockages and intuitive control over suction levels, especially when used in conjunction with image-guided surgery navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
The suction instrument features a deformable multi-piece grip assembly with a removable fluid coupling body and a grasping portion that can be easily decoupled to access internal components, and a deformable body that allows for intuitive control of suction levels by altering the fluid communication between the handle assembly and the suction lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the suction device has a sealed handle assembly, then suction effectiveness is improved, but accessibility to internal components for clearing blockages deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is divided into separable components: a handle body and a detachable grip assembly. The grip assembly can be removed from the handle body to provide access to the fluid communication chamber and suction control opening, allowing clearing of blockages while maintaining the sealed environment during operation.
2Device complexity
If the suction device has a fixed grip assembly, then structural simplicity is improved, but control over suction levels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grip assembly is made deformable and adjustable rather than fixed. The operator can deform the grip assembly to open or close the suction control opening, dynamically adjusting the suction level. The grip assembly can also be completely detached to clear blockages or perform maintenance, providing both operational flexibility and structural simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the suction device has a single-piece construction, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but ease of cleaning and maintenance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is constructed with separable components: a handle body and a detachable grip assembly. This segmentation allows the grip assembly to be removed for thorough cleaning and maintenance of internal components like the fluid communication chamber and suction control opening, while the handle body can be separately manufactured and assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip assembly is extracted as a separate, removable component from the handle body. This extraction enables easy removal and cleaning of the grip assembly and its internal components without disassembling the entire device, significantly improving maintenance accessibility while keeping the overall manufacturing process simple.
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 enables quick and easy clearing of blockages within the suction instrument and allows for precise control of suction levels, enhancing the usability of suction devices in ENT and other medical procedures, especially when integrated with image-guided surgery systems.
Implementation Method 1
the deformable grasping body being configured to elastically deform between a relaxed state and a compressed state in order to alter the fluid communication between the fluid communication chamber and the suction lumen
Data Source
AI summary
During surgery, debris being cleared from the target anatomy may inadvertently inhibit fluid communication between a suction instrument and a suction source. Therefore, it may be desirable to facilitate access to interior portions of the suction instrument and control of the amount of suction being provided through the suction instrument. The suction instrument can include an elongate cannula with a distal portion configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient. The elongate cannula can define a suction lumen that can provide suction at the distal portion. A handle assembly can be associated with the elongate cannula and include a deformable grasping body defining a fluid communication chamber that can provide suction to the suction lumen. The deformable grasping body can elastically deform between relaxed and compressed states to alter the fluid communication between the fluid communication chamber and the suction lumen.