Surgical Instrument Reprocessing via Fluid-Driven Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instrument reprocessing methods require manual operation to actuate instruments, leading to inefficiencies and incomplete cleaning, especially in accessing interior components exposed to biomaterials.
Innovation Solution
The development of an accessory drive device with a housing, fluid inlet, fluid outlet, and a drive mechanism that uses fluid flow to drive an output drive member, which engages with the surgical instrument's transmission mechanism to actuate its distal end components during reprocessing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to actuate surgical instruments during reprocessing, then the technician can control the instrument movement, but the process requires extensive manual steps and time
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument actuates itself automatically during reprocessing using its own drive mechanism and transmission components, eliminating the need for manual operation. The instrument's distal end component moves autonomously to expose all surfaces to cleaning fluids, making the reprocessing system self-sufficient without requiring continuous technician intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism is pre-configured with transmission mechanisms and drive members that automatically actuate the surgical instrument when cleaning fluid flows through it. The system is designed in advance to convert fluid flow into mechanical motion, so that upon initiation of the reprocessing cycle, the instrument begins moving without manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If manual operation is used to actuate surgical instruments, then the technician can access different parts of the instrument, but the cleaning process becomes complex and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument autonomously actuates its own components during reprocessing through an integrated drive mechanism. The transmission mechanism automatically moves the distal end component to expose all surfaces including interior components to cleaning fluids, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive mechanism utilizes hydraulic or pneumatic actuation where cleaning fluid flow through the instrument generates pressure that drives the transmission mechanism. This converts fluid energy into mechanical motion, automatically actuating the instrument's components without requiring manual operation or complex mechanical linkages.
3Productivity
If automated fluid flow is used to drive the surgical instrument, then manual steps are reduced, but the mechanism to convert fluid flow to drive force adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism directly utilizes the kinetic energy and pressure of cleaning fluid flow to actuate the surgical instrument. Fluid entering through the fluid inlet drives the transmission mechanism through hydraulic or pneumatic pressure, converting fluid energy into mechanical motion without requiring additional motors or complex actuation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid serves dual purposes: it both cleans the instrument surfaces and simultaneously provides the motive force to drive the transmission mechanism. This multi-functional use of the fluid eliminates the need for separate drive systems, reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining high reprocessing efficiency.
4Reliability
If the surgical instrument is automatically actuated during reprocessing, then all surfaces are exposed to cleaning fluids, but the drive mechanism requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission mechanism converts fluid flow pressure into mechanical motion to automatically actuate the distal end component of the surgical instrument. This hydraulic or pneumatic drive ensures reliable exposure of all surfaces including interior components to cleaning fluids, achieving thorough cleaning through automated motion controlled by fluid pressure.
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
This solution automates the actuation of surgical instruments, reducing manual steps and ensuring thorough cleaning by moving distal end components to expose all surfaces to cleaning fluids, thereby improving efficiency and safety in reprocessing.
Implementation Method 1
The drive mechanism may be configured to be driven by a motive force produced by fluid flowing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A method of reprocessing a surgical instrument includes flowing a flow of irrigation fluid through an accessory drive device operably coupled to the surgical instrument, the accessory drive device comprising inflatable bladders, and the flow of irrigation fluid causing inflation of the bladders. The method further includes converting inflation of the bladders to motion of an input drive member of the surgical instrument; converting the motion of the input drive member to motion of an actuation element of the surgical instrument; converting the motion of the actuation element to motion of a distal component of the surgical instrument; and irrigating the surgical instrument with the flow of irrigation fluid.