Electrocautery Tip Telescoping Mechanism for PCB Back Pressure Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrocautery devices face issues with fluid causing short circuits and damage due to stainless-steel vacuum tubes and back pressure on PCB connections from retracting cauterizing tips, leading to device failure.

Innovation Solution

An electrocautery system with a telescoping design featuring a metal spring contact and conductive rail for constant electrical connection, combined with a fluid passage that prevents fluid from reaching electrical components, ensuring reliable operation and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stainless-steel vacuum tube is used to draw fluid, then vacuum functionality is achieved, but fluid may create short circuits or contact electrical components causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidfluid contact with electrical components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional zones: a fluid pathway section and an electrical component section. The fluid is routed through dedicated channels that are physically separated from electrical components, preventing fluid from contacting electrical parts while maintaining vacuum functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A non-conductive barrier or sealing structure acts as an intermediary between the fluid pathway and electrical components. This intermediary prevents direct contact between fluid and electrical parts, eliminating the short circuit risk while allowing the vacuum system to operate effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a retractable cauterizing tip is used, then operational flexibility is improved, but back pressure on PCB connections causes wiring damage or disconnection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip extension and retractionVSAvoidPCB connection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring contact provides excessive contact force beyond what is minimally required, ensuring that the electrical connection remains stable even when the tip is retracted. This excessive action compensates for the back pressure generated during retraction movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

A spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide cushioning force on the electrical connection. This beforehand cushioning absorbs the back pressure generated during tip retraction, preventing wiring damage or disconnection while allowing the tip to move freely for operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If common shield wiring is used to connect the cauterizing tip to the PCB, then electrical connection is established, but movement of the tip causes back pressure leading to device failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidtip movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A spring contact serves as an intermediary between the moving tip and the fixed PCB. This spring intermediary absorbs mechanical stress from tip movement while maintaining continuous electrical contact, allowing both reliable connection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical connection mechanism transitions from a rigid fixed connection to a flexible spring-based connection. This parameter change in connection rigidity allows the system to accommodate tip movement while maintaining electrical contact, resolving the conflict between connection reliability and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 maintains a reliable electrical connection and prevents short circuits, enhancing safety and device durability during extended use by isolating fluid from electrical components and reducing back pressure on PCB connections.

Implementation Method 1

a metal spring contact mounted to either the front nozzle tube or the rear base tube; a conductive rail mounted to the slider tube, wherein the metal spring contact is disposed to make constant contact with the conductive rail as the slider tube telescopes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11399883B2Cauterizing device and system

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 VOLTA INNOVATIONS S DE R L DE CV

AI summary

An electrocautery device and system include retractability and extension of a cauterizing tip without impacting or applying backpressure to the supporting electrical components inside the device. In some embodiments, a conductive rail is in constant contact with a spring contact electrically coupled to the power source as the cauterizing tip is retracted or extended from the main housing. Some embodiments include a vacuum system that draws fluid from the treatment site during operation. The fluid travels through a passageway that is sealed off from the electrical components by virtue of aspects of the device. Some embodiments include an ergonomic design and are lower cost by using membrane switch circuits instead of a printed circuit board.