Surgical End Effector Plug Assembly for Fluid and Signal Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical systems face challenges in independently controlling fluid flow and electrical communication between surgical devices and consoles, leading to complexities in fluid management and data transmission, particularly in ensuring cleanliness and reusability of handpieces while maintaining effective surgical performance.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system with a fluid and communication assembly that includes a cable with both fluid and communication lines, allowing for independent fluid pumping and electrical communication between the console and surgical end effector, including a cassette for fluid management and an electronics board for data and power transmission, enabling wireless or wired communication and sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluid management and electrical communication are integrated through the handpiece, then surgical performance is improved, but cleanliness and reusability of the handpiece deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the surgical device into separate reusable components (handpiece, end effector) and disposable components (fluid and communication assembly). The fluid line and communication line are separated into distinct modules that can be independently disposed of, allowing the expensive handpiece to be cleaned and reused while maintaining surgical performance through integrated fluid and electrical connections during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid management system is extracted from the handpiece and placed in a separate disposable assembly. This allows the handpiece to remain clean and reusable while the fluid-containing components are discarded after single use, eliminating contamination risks while preserving surgical functionality.
2Device complexity
If a single cable contains both fluid line and communication line, then device complexity is reduced, but fluid management and data transmission independence deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into separate fluid line and communication line channels within a single cable assembly. This physical segmentation allows independent control and management of fluid flow and electrical data transmission while maintaining a unified cable structure for ease of connection and reduced overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cable assembly serves multiple functions by integrating both fluid transport and electrical communication capabilities. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate connections needed while maintaining the independence of fluid and data management through separate internal channels.
3Ease of operation
If the connection plug establishes both fluid and electrical communication, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability of independent fluid and electrical control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection plug is designed with separate engagement mechanisms for fluid communication and electrical communication. The fluid line connection and communication line connection are physically separated within the plug structure, allowing each to be established independently while maintaining ease of operation through a single plugging action.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection plug acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the disposable assembly and the reusable handpiece. It provides separate but simultaneous connection paths for fluid and electrical signals, ensuring reliable independent control while simplifying the user's connection process through a unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical system includes a surgical end effector and a fluid and communication assembly. The surgical end effector is configured to releasably engage a surgical handpiece, includes electronics and a proximal hub having a connection port disposed thereon, and defines a fluid flow path. The fluid and communication assembly includes a cable and a connection plug disposed at a distal end portion of the cable. The cable includes a fluid line and a communication line. The connection plug is configured to releasably engage the connection port to thereby establish fluid communication between the fluid line and the fluid flow path and to thereby establish electrical communication between the communication line and the electronics.