Disposable Housing Color Coding and Memory for Surgical Handle Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a system that assists practitioners in accurately and efficiently identifying and selecting the appropriate end effector and adapter assembly to be attached to a handle assembly for specific surgical procedures, as existing systems lack clear identification methods.

Innovation Solution

A disposable housing with a color corresponding to a specific end effector and adapter assembly, containing a memory with stored operating parameters, is used to encase a motor-operable inner core handle assembly, which includes a processor to determine the correct type of end effector and adapter assembly, ensuring proper operation based on the selected disposable housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a reusable handle assembly with multiple end effectors is used, then device versatility is improved, but the risk of cross-contamination and sterilization complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice versatilityVSAvoidsterilization reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical system is divided into reusable and disposable segments. The handle assembly is reusable while the housing, adapter assembly, and end effector are disposable. This segmentation allows the handle to maintain versatility across multiple procedures while the disposable components eliminate sterilization concerns and prevent cross-contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Disposable housings and adapter assemblies are discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for sterilization and ensuring no cross-contamination. The reusable handle assembly is recovered and can be sterilized and reused for multiple procedures, optimizing resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of end effectors and adapter assemblies are available, then surgical functionality is improved, but the difficulty of identifying and selecting the correct components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical functionalityVSAvoidcomponent selection ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different colors are assigned to different types of disposable housings, adapter assemblies, and end effectors. This color-coding system provides immediate visual identification, allowing practitioners to quickly select the correct components for specific surgical procedures without confusion, even when multiple types are available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The disposable housing acts as an intermediary component that connects the reusable handle assembly to the adapter assembly and end effector. It contains memory and processor elements that facilitate automated identification and verification of component compatibility, reducing the cognitive burden on the practitioner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If color-coding and memory elements are added to disposable housings, then component identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidhousing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable housing incorporates memory elements, processors, and color-coding features that would be costly and complex if implemented in reusable devices. Since these components are discarded after single use, the complexity is acceptable, and the identification accuracy is significantly improved without compromising long-term device durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If automated verification using processors and memory is implemented, then operational accuracy is improved, but the cost of disposable components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational accuracyVSAvoidcomponent cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Memory elements and processors are integrated into disposable components that are replaced after each procedure. While this increases the cost per procedure, it ensures high operational accuracy through automated verification of component compatibility and proper configuration, reducing the risk of surgical errors and improving patient safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10799317B2Disposable housings for encasing handle assemblies and methods of use

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A disposable housing includes a housing portion and a memory. The housing portion defines a cavity therein configured to receive a motor operable, inner core handle assembly. At least a portion of the housing portion has a color that corresponds to a color of one type of end effector or adapter assembly. The memory has stored therein at least one operating parameter for the inner core handle assembly.