Hexagonal Electrode Carrier Pressing for Surgical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical handheld devices, such as resectoscopes, face issues with mechanical stabilization, moisture sealing, and the risk of short circuits due to pressing techniques and sharp edges, which complicate production and reduce reliability.

Innovation Solution

The electrode instrument features a tube-like electrode carrier with a hexagonal cross-sectional shape at pressed positions, using flexible tubing for insulation, which provides secure mechanical fastening and sealing without additional sealants, preventing sharp edges and short circuits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional pressing techniques are used to mechanically stabilize electrode carrier components, then mechanical stability is improved, but the risk of short circuits increases due to sharp burrs or edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidrisk of short circuits

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing device is designed with rounded pressing surfaces instead of sharp edges. This curvature principle ensures that when components are pressed together, no sharp burrs or edges are created that could cause short circuits. The rounded surfaces distribute pressure evenly and prevent the formation of conductive sharp edges that would compromise electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If multiple pressings are applied to electrode carriers using different tools, then mechanical fastening is improved, but production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical fasteningVSAvoidproduction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pressing operations that previously required different tools are merged into a single integrated pressing device. This device can apply multiple pressings in sequence or simultaneously using different pressing surfaces, thereby reducing production complexity while maintaining the necessary mechanical fastening strength. The consolidation of operations into one tool simplifies the production process and reduces the number of tool changes required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional sealant is applied to seal the electrode carrier interior, then moisture sealing is improved, but production time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture sealingVSAvoidproduction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the separate sealant application step and integrated into the pressing process itself. The pressing device creates sealing through controlled deformation and compression of the components during pressing, eliminating the need for additional sealant materials and application steps. This reduces production time and complexity while maintaining effective moisture sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If conventional pressing is used without additional sealing, then production process is simplified, but moisture and liquid ingress occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction process simplicityVSAvoidmoisture ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical fastening and sealing functions are merged into a single pressing operation. The pressing device is designed to create both structural attachment and moisture barrier through controlled deformation of the components. This integration maintains production simplicity while effectively preventing moisture and liquid ingress that would occur with conventional pressing alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design enhances mechanical stability and sealing, reduces production complexity and costs, and ensures the reliability of the surgical handheld device by eliminating the need for additional sealing steps and minimizing the risk of short circuits.

Implementation Method 1

a pressing device is used to press the electrical conductor in the electrode carrier, in particular in the electrode casing tube, at the position with the aid of a pressing device having a pressing surface with a cross section with six pressed sides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical pressure: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS20220323144A1Electrode instrument, surgical handheld device, and their production methods

Publication Date: 2022.10.13 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE GMBH

AI summary

An electrode instrument, a surgical handheld device and a production method, by means of which the quality of the aforementioned instruments can be improved. This is achieved by virtue of an electrode instrument for a surgical handheld device having an electrical conductor which is electrically insulated by an insulation in the form of flexible tubing, wherein the conductor is pressed in an electrode carrier, wherein the electrode carrier has a cross section with six pressed sides at the pressed position.