Modular Electrosurgical Probe Design for Sterilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Complex components in electrosurgical probes and handpieces hinder assembly, manufacturability, and reusability, and create areas for bacterial and contaminant trapping, affecting device operation and sterilization.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a slidably connectable probe sheath and threadably connectable electrosurgical probes with a probe handle and elongate tube, featuring a unobstructed fluid pathway and rotatable components to ease assembly and prevent contaminant trapping, ensuring a secure and sterilizable connection to suction and irrigation sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex components and arrangements are used in electrosurgical probes and hand pieces, then functional capabilities are enhanced, but assembly difficulty and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrosurgical probe is divided into separable components including a probe body, a probe sheath, and a hand piece that can be assembled and disassembled. The probe body further includes a probe shaft and probe tip that can be independently replaced. This segmentation allows for easier assembly and manufacturing while maintaining functional capabilities through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The probe shaft is inserted through the probe sheath, and the hand piece connects to the probe body through a threaded interface. The elongate tube containing the electrode is positioned within the probe body. This nested arrangement reduces overall device complexity by organizing components efficiently while preserving multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex components are used in electrosurgical probes, then functional capabilities are enhanced, but manufacturability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidmanufacturability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the probe into separate manufacturable components (probe body, probe sheath, hand piece), each can be manufactured using appropriate processes and then assembled. This improves manufacturability while maintaining functional capabilities through the modular structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The probe body and hand piece design allows for universal application across different surgical procedures. The threaded connection and standardized interfaces enable the same components to serve multiple functions, reducing the need for specialized manufacturing for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex arrangements are used in probes and hand pieces, then functional capabilities are enhanced, but reusability decreases due to contaminant trapping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The probe tip and probe shaft can be removed from the probe body and sterilized separately. The hand piece can be detached and sterilized independently. This extraction of components allows for thorough sterilization without trapping contaminants in complex arrangements, thereby improving reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design incorporates features that prevent contaminant accumulation in the first place, such as smooth surfaces and accessible geometries that allow complete sterilization. The modular design enables preliminary sterilization of each component before assembly, ensuring no contaminants are trapped during storage or handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If complex components are used in electrosurgical probes, then functional capabilities are enhanced, but sterilization difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilitiesVSAvoidsterilization difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is segmented into sterilizable components that can be processed separately through autoclaving or other sterilization methods. Each component has a design that allows complete exposure to sterilization agents, eliminating difficulty in sterilizing complex assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Components are designed to be sterilized in advance before assembly or use. The modular structure allows preliminary sterilization of each part, ensuring that no contaminants are trapped during the sterilization process and maintaining functional capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9883905B2Electrosurgical probes for suction and irrigation systems

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 APPL MEDICAL RESOURCES CORP

AI summary

An electrosurgical probe for suction and irrigation systems is provided. The electrosurgical probe comprises an elongate tube with a probe tip and a probe handle. An unobstructed fluid communication path is defined by the probe handle and elongate tube.