Fluid Blocker Seal for Surgical Stapler Nozzle Ingress
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical staplers face challenges in preventing fluid ingress, which can damage moisture-sensitive electrical components within the instrument, leading to potential malfunctions during procedures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating fluid blockers, such as annular or split annular members, between the closure tube and nozzle housings to create a seal and prevent fluid from reaching sensitive electrical connections, thereby protecting internal components and ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the surgical stapler uses electrical components for operation, then the functionality and precision of the device is improved, but the susceptibility to fluid ingress and moisture damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluid blockers as intermediary components positioned between the external environment and the electrical components within the surgical stapler. These blockers act as mediators that prevent direct contact between fluid and sensitive electrical parts, thereby protecting the precision electronics while maintaining operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs seal members comprising flexible materials such as elastomers or rubber to create barriers against fluid ingress. These flexible seals conform to the interfaces between housing components, providing effective protection against moisture and fluid penetration while allowing for manufacturing tolerances and assembly variations.
2Reliability
If the surgical stapler incorporates sealing components to prevent fluid ingress, then the protection against moisture damage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the main structural components and implements it through separate, dedicated seal members and fluid blockers. This modular approach allows the sealing system to be independently optimized and maintained without affecting the core surgical stapling mechanism, thereby managing complexity while ensuring reliable fluid protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where fluid blockers are positioned within the housing structure, and seal members are embedded at interfaces between components. This nested configuration integrates protection against fluid ingress into the existing device architecture without adding significant external complexity, as the sealing elements are incorporated within the existing structural framework.
3Ease of manufacture
If the surgical stapler uses multiple housing components assembled together, then the ease of manufacture and assembly is improved, but the potential pathways for fluid ingress increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the housing into multiple separable components (distal and proximal housings) that can be manufactured independently using standard manufacturing processes. This segmentation facilitates easier manufacturing and assembly while the design incorporates fluid blockers and seal members at the interfaces between segments to prevent fluid ingress through the joints, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturability and fluid protection.
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 use of fluid blockers effectively minimizes fluid ingress, safeguarding electrical connections and maintaining the integrity of the surgical instrument's functionality, even in humid environments, thus enhancing the reliability and durability of the device.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating fluid blockers, such as annular or split annular members, between the closure tube and nozzle housings to create a seal and prevent fluid from reaching sensitive electrical connections
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a body assembly, an end effector, and a shaft assembly. The body assembly includes at least one electrical connection. The end effector is operable to treat tissue. The shaft assembly extends between the body assembly and the end effector along a shaft axis. The shaft assembly includes a nozzle, a closure tube, and a fluid blocker. The nozzle includes at least one housing. The at least one housing includes a recess. The closure tube is configured to rotate relative to the body assembly about the shaft axis. The fluid blocker is disposed within the recess of the nozzle. The fluid blocker is configured to contact the closure tube to prevent fluid from entering the nozzle and reaching the at least one electrical connection disposed within the body assembly.