Mechanical Counter Mechanism for Manipulator Sterilization Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laparoscopic manipulators face challenges in accurately counting uses due to issues with mechanical and electrical connections, environmental factors affecting thermal changes, and unintentional detachment, leading to potential failures and misuse.
Innovation Solution
A manipulator with a mechanical counter mechanism that shifts between states to accurately count uses, featuring a counter disk, first and second members, and indicating portions to prevent miscounting and ensure proper usage limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a scale or electrical connection is provided on the manipulator to count uses, then the remaining uses can be counted, but the scale or electrical connection may cause failures due to severe sterilization process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical connection and electronic counting mechanisms with a purely mechanical counter mechanism. The counter includes a counter shaft, counter gear, and indicating portion that mechanically track the number of sterilization cycles through gear engagement and rotation, eliminating electrical components that would fail in sterilization environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical counter mechanism automatically counts sterilization cycles through the engagement and disengagement of the counter gear with the drive gear during attachment and detachment operations. The system self-records usage without requiring external electronic systems, scales, or power sources that would be vulnerable to sterilization damage.
2Measurement precision
If the manipulator is connected to a medical device to count uses, then the remaining uses can be counted, but the uses are counted even when attachment or detachment is unintentional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a confirmation operation (third operation) that must be performed after the initial attachment (first operation) and disengagement (second operation) to actually increment the counter. This preliminary anti-action prevents accidental counting by requiring a deliberate third step that confirms the user's intent to record the usage cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The counter mechanism uses periodic engagement and disengagement of the counter gear with the drive gear, where each complete cycle of attachment-detachment-confirmation corresponds to one counted usage. The periodic mechanical interaction ensures that only intentional, complete cycles are recorded, filtering out unintentional partial attachments.
3Measurement precision
If a shape memory member is used to convert thermal energy to mechanical energy for counting, then the remaining uses can be counted, but the shape of the shape memory member may not reliably change due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable shape memory member thermal-mechanical conversion system with a direct mechanical counting system. The counter gear engages with the drive gear through purely mechanical means during attachment and detachment, eliminating thermal sensitivity and environmental factor dependence entirely.
Data Source
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AI summary
A manipulator attachable to and detachable from a medical device includes: a manipulator main body having a distal end portion attached with an end effector and a proximal end portion connectable to the medical device; and a mechanical counter mechanism disposed on the manipulator main body. The counter mechanism shifts from a first state to a second state by a first operation for the counter mechanism and shifts from the second state to the first state by a second operation for the counter mechanism, and counts the shifts from the second state to the first state by the second operation.