Light Cable Cap for Endoscopic Thermal Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic procedures face risks of thermal burns and fires due to the high-intensity light emitted by light source cables, which can remain hot even after being disconnected.
Innovation Solution
A light cable cap with a silicone housing and a thermal insulator is designed to fit over the light emitting tip of the cable, featuring a movable shield that can be displaced away from the light tip during scope changes and returns to block the light when the scope is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the light source cable is left illuminated during scope changes, then the surgical procedure can continue without interruption, but thermal energy is released to the surrounding environment causing burns and fires
Solution Approach 1:
A heat shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source cable and the surrounding environment (patient skin and drapes). The heat shield blocks thermal energy transmission while allowing the light source to remain illuminated, thus maintaining procedure continuity without causing thermal burns or fires.
Solution Approach 2:
The light cable assembly is segmented into functional components: the light-emitting portion remains active for illumination, while a separate heat shield component is added to manage thermal energy. This segmentation allows the lighting function to continue while thermal hazards are isolated and controlled.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the circulating nurse physically switches off the light source during scope changes, then thermal energy emission is reduced, but the nurse cannot break the sterile field and is often busy with other surgical tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is designed to be self-retaining on the light cable, allowing it to automatically perform the thermal protection function without requiring manual intervention from the circulating nurse. The shield remains in place during scope changes, providing continuous thermal management while the nurse attends to other surgical responsibilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat shield is pre-positioned on the light cable before scope changes occur. This preliminary placement ensures thermal protection is already in effect when scope changes happen, eliminating the need for the nurse to interrupt their other tasks to manage the light source.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a heat shield is added to the light cable system, then thermal energy emission is blocked, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is constructed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that can be easily attached to the light cable. This design minimizes the added complexity while effectively blocking thermal energy, as the flexible nature allows simple attachment without complex mounting mechanisms.
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 light cable cap effectively reduces the thermal energy emitted to the surrounding environment, preventing burns and fires by blocking the light and heat from the light source cable during scope changes.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal insulator in the shield
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device reduces the risk of operating room fires caused by light sources by shielding the illuminated light cable from directly interacting with surgical drapes or patient skin. The device includes a silicone housing that mates circumferentially over existing endoscopic light cables and a thermal insulator can be positioned over the light emitting tip of the cable.