Reusable Medical Device Handle with Disposable Distal Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-use medical devices, such as endoscopic devices, result in significant waste and environmental burden, as the entire device is typically discarded after a single use.
Innovation Solution
A releasable coupling system for medical devices that allows the proximal component (handle) to be reused with different distal components, reducing waste by enabling the distal component to be disposed of after use while the proximal component is cleaned and reused.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-use medical devices are used to ensure patient safety and reduce infection risk, then reliability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to disposal of the entire device
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device is divided into two separable components: a proximal component (handle) and a distal component (shaft with end effector). The distal component is designed as a single-use disposable element that can be detached and discarded after one use, while the proximal component is reusable. This segmentation allows the critical patient-contact portion to be disposable for safety while the non-contact handle can be reused, reducing overall waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a system where the distal component is discarded after single use to ensure patient safety and prevent cross-contamination, while the proximal component is recovered, cleaned, sterilized, and reused for subsequent procedures. This selective discarding and recovering strategy maintains reliability through proper disposal of contaminated parts while recovering valuable reusable components.
2Reliability
If the entire device is disposed of after single use to ensure sterility and prevent cross-contamination, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to disposal and setup for new procedures
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the device into disposable distal and reusable proximal components, the invention enables rapid disposal of only the contaminated distal portion while retaining the handle. This eliminates the need to dispose of the entire device, significantly reducing disposal time and setup time for subsequent procedures while maintaining sterility through proper disposal of the distal component.
3Loss of substance
If the proximal component is designed to be reusable to reduce waste and cost, then loss of substance decreases, but device complexity increases due to coupling and decoupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal component is designed with a universal coupling interface that can accommodate multiple types of distal components. The standardized interface allows different distal components to be attached to the same proximal handle, enabling the proximal component to serve multiple functions with different distal attachments. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized handles, decreasing overall waste while the coupling mechanism remains relatively simple through standardization.
4Loss of substance
If a releasable coupling system is implemented to enable component separation, then loss of substance decreases through reuse, but device complexity increases due to additional coupling components
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components with standardized coupling interfaces. The coupling system uses simple mechanical connection elements (such as bayonet-style connectors, snap-fit mechanisms, or threaded interfaces) that provide reliable attachment and detachment. This segmented modular design enables easy separation of proximal and distal components for reuse purposes, and the simplicity of the coupling mechanism is offset by the benefit of being able to reuse the expensive proximal component multiple times.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling system is designed with universal interfaces that can accommodate various distal components on a single proximal handle. This multi-functionality means that while the coupling mechanism itself is relatively simple, it provides the capability to attach multiple different distal components, reducing the total number of handles needed and thereby reducing waste and complexity at the system level.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device may comprise a handle, including a main body and an actuator. The main body may include a first portion and a second portion. The main body may have an open configuration and a closed configuration. The actuator may include a first portion and a second portion. The actuator may have an open configuration and a closed configuration. The actuator may translate relative to the main body in the closed configurations of the main body and the actuator.