Magnetic Coupling for Surgical Tool Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powered medical instruments face challenges in longevity and efficiency due to adverse effects from sterilization processes, complex surfaces, frictional heat, limited operating parameters, and restricted motion ranges caused by mechanical and electrical power transmission systems.
Innovation Solution
A medical instrument with a hermetically sealed housing, a motor-driven magnet system, and a detachable tool assembly that uses magnetic coupling for precise movement of medical tools, including a speed reducer for adjustable speed operations, and various tool assemblies for specific surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical power transmission mechanisms are used to transfer power from motor to medical tool, then power transmission is achieved, but frictional heat and wear reduce longevity and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical power transmission mechanisms with a magnetic field-based transmission system. A magnetically coupled drive system transfers rotational motion from the motor to the medical tool without physical contact between moving parts, eliminating frictional heat and wear while maintaining reliable power transmission throughout the instrument's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the motor and medical tool. The magnetic coupling mechanism uses magnetic flux as the medium to transmit power, allowing the drive shaft to rotate the medical tool without direct mechanical contact, thereby preventing frictional degradation and extending instrument longevity.
2Power
If complex mechanical power transmission systems are employed, then power transfer is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex mechanical gears, belts, or linkages by substituting them with a magnetic coupling system. The motor's rotational power is transmitted directly to the medical tool through magnetic field interaction, significantly reducing the number of moving parts and simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining effective power transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes unnecessary mechanical transmission components from the power transmission path. By using direct magnetic coupling between the motor and tool, the design eliminates intermediate mechanical elements, reducing device complexity and improving reliability through fewer potential failure points.
3Reliability
If hermetically sealed housing is used to protect internal components, then protection is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hermetically sealed housing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects internal magnetic and electronic components from sterilization processes and environmental contaminants, maintains magnetic field containment, and provides a rigid mounting structure for the motor and medical tool. This multi-functionality justifies the manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for separate protective structures.
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 solution enhances the longevity and efficiency of medical instruments by minimizing frictional resistance, accommodating various surgical procedures, and allowing for precise tool movement, while also simplifying sterilization and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The tool assembly is positioned by the tool mount with the tool magnet in magnetic communication with the drive magnet, whereby rotation of the drive magnet by the motor causes movement of the tool magnet, shaft, and tool.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical instrument for use on a patient. The medical instrument includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end, an electric motor mounted to the housing having a drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis, a drive magnet fixed to the drive shaft of said motor which rotates with the drive shaft about the drive axis, and a tool assembly coupled to the housing via a tool mount. The tool mount orients the tool assembly relative to the housing whereby guided rotational, translational, and/or oscillary motion of a tool within the tool assembly is achieved via the structure of the tool mount in conjunction with a magnetic coupling between magnets attached to both the motor and the tool.