Membrane Switch With Rigid Rib For Ambidextrous Electrosurgical Instruments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrosurgical instruments lack ambidextrous operation capabilities, limiting their use to either left- or right-handed operators due to the design of tactile push buttons.

Innovation Solution

An electronic switch mechanism with a housing, a fenestration, and a membrane switch featuring a flexible membrane and a rigid rib constrained for linear or pivotal movement, allowing off-center activation and enabling operation with either hand.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional tactile push buttons are used, then the instrument can be operated, but it is limited to either left- or right-handed operators only

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambidextrous operation capabilityVSAvoidoperational accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The membrane switch is designed with off-center activation points positioned at asymmetric locations (e.g., 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions) rather than symmetric center positioning. This asymmetric layout allows operators to comfortably reach and activate the switch with either hand, transforming a right-handed or left-handed only control into an ambidextrous interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional linear or single-point button activation to a two-dimensional membrane surface with multiple distributed activation zones. This dimensional expansion allows operators to access the switch from different angles and directions, accommodating both right-handed and left-handed operating styles simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If off-center activation is implemented, then ambidextrous operation is enabled, but the switch mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveambidextrous operation capabilityVSAvoidswitch mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible membrane as the switch actuation surface, replacing traditional rigid button mechanisms. This thin film structure inherently accommodates off-center activation points and provides tactile feedback without requiring complex mechanical linkages, thereby enabling ambidextrous operation while maintaining relatively simple construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The membrane acts as an intermediary layer between the operator's input and the underlying switch mechanism. It distributes and transmits activation forces from various off-center positions to the appropriate switch elements, simplifying the overall mechanism by decoupling the activation interface from the actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11195676B2Electronic switch mechanism

Publication Date: 2021.12.07 GYRUS ACMI INC

AI summary

A switch mechanism (12) includes a housing (16, 18) with a fenestration (21), a switch element (22) held in the housing, and a membrane switch held in the fenestration. The membrane switch includes a flexible membrane (20) and a rigid rib (26). The rib is constrained to linear movement by guides (37, 38) in the housing so that contact with the membrane causes the membrane to deform and the rib to translate to actuate the switch element.