Diffusion-Hardened Endoscopic Instrument Contact Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical instruments that interact with hard surfaces, such as needle holders and rasps, face challenges in achieving a balance between surface hardness, biocompatibility, and toughness, often leading to issues like wear, breakage, and manufacturing defects due to the use of hard metal parts like cemented carbides.
Innovation Solution
Integrally manufacturing surgical or endoscopic instruments with structured contact sections from corrosion-resistant stainless steel and applying low-temperature diffusion hardening to create a near-surface diffusion zone, enhancing surface hardness without using hard metal coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard metal parts like cemented carbides are used to increase surface hardness, then wear resistance is improved, but biocompatibility and corrosion resistance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies low-temperature diffusion hardening to create a hardened surface layer only in the contact areas of the jaw parts, while the bulk material remains as biocompatible stainless steel. This local hardening achieves wear resistance where needed without compromising biocompatibility throughout the entire instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure through diffusion hardening, where a hardened surface layer (with high hardness) is formed on top of the stainless steel substrate (with good biocompatibility). This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials: wear resistance from the hardened surface and biocompatibility from the stainless steel base.
2Strength
If hard metal parts are used to increase surface hardness, then wear resistance is improved, but toughness and elasticity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion hardening process creates a gradient structure where only the surface layer is hardened while the core material retains its full toughness and elasticity. This local treatment allows the instrument to be hard where contact occurs but remains tough overall, preventing breakage during use.
3Strength
If separate hard metal inserts are used to increase surface hardness, then wear resistance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hardening process into the manufacturing of the stainless steel jaw parts themselves, rather than attaching separate hard metal inserts. The low-temperature diffusion hardening is applied directly to the finished or near-finished stainless steel components, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing assembly complexity while achieving the desired wear resistance.
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 instruments achieve high surface hardness comparable to cemented carbides while maintaining biocompatibility and toughness, reducing wear and manufacturing costs, and ensuring seamless design and durability.
Implementation Method 1
low-temperature diffusion hardening to form a near-surface diffusion zone
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical or endoscopic instrument is provided with at least one longitudinal member (28, 30; 128; 228, 230; 328) extending longitudinally between a first end and a second end, and a carrier piece (50, 52; 150, 152; 250, 252; 350, 352; 410; 412; 414; 416) which has at least one structured contact section (60, 62; 160, 162; 260, 262; 360, 362; 420; 422; 424; 426) which is provided in particular with a toothing or ribbing, wherein the at least one structured contact section (60, 62; 160, 162; 260, 262; 360, 362; 420; 422; 424; 426) is integrated into the carrier piece (50, 52; 150, 152; 250, 252; 350, 352; 410; 412; 414; 416), wherein the carrier piece (50, 52; 150, 152; 250, 252; 350, 352; 410; 412; 414; 416) and the at least one structured contact section (60, 62; 160, 162; 260, 262; 360, 362; 420; 422; 424;426) are made of a corrosion-resistant steel material, in particular a stainless steel, and wherein the at least one structured contact section (60, 62; 160, 162; 260, 262; 360, 362; 420; 422; 424; 426) is surface-cured by low-temperature diffusion. The disclosure further relates to a method for manufacturing a surgical or endoscopic instrument.