Modular Surgical Forceps Segmentation for Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable electrosurgical forceps face challenges such as labor-intensive cleaning procedures, risk of contamination, and complex disassembly requirements, which discourage their use due to the complexity of maintaining clean and functional electrodes and a sharp knife blade.
Innovation Solution
A modular surgical instrument design with a contained electrical system and sealing members, allowing for easy separation and cleaning of components, featuring a handle module and elongated shaft module that can be coupled and decoupled for maintenance, and utilizing a reciprocating drive rod and motor system for jaw operation, with a moisture-impervious casing to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable electrosurgical forceps are used to reduce instrumentation costs, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but cleaning complexity and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps are divided into separate modules: a reusable handle assembly and a disposable shaft assembly. The shaft assembly containing the electrode and knife blade can be easily separated and discarded after use, while the handle assembly is reused. This segmentation simplifies the cleaning process to only the handle assembly while eliminating the need to clean contaminated shaft components.
Solution Approach 2:
The contaminated components (electrode, knife blade) are extracted into a separate disposable shaft assembly that can be removed and discarded. This extraction allows the reusable handle assembly to be cleaned more easily without dealing with the highly contaminated tissue-contacting surfaces.
2Reliability
If removable and replaceable components are added to provide clean surfaces for each use, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but disassembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The forceps are segmented into two main assemblies that connect via a simple bayonet-style connector. The shaft assembly can be quickly detached from the handle assembly by simple rotational movement, eliminating the need for complex multi-step disassembly procedures while still providing separate replaceable components.
3Ease of repair
If a modular design with contained electrical system is implemented, then refurbishment ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical system is contained entirely within the disposable shaft assembly, which is self-contained and can be discarded with the electrode and knife blade. The reusable handle assembly has a simplified electrical connector that requires no complex wiring repairs. This segmentation makes refurbishment straightforward - the handle assembly is reused and the shaft assembly is replaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft assembly containing the electrical system, electrode, and knife blade is designed as a disposable component. After use, the entire shaft assembly is discarded rather than refurbished, eliminating the need for complex electrical system repairs while maintaining ease of refurbishment for the expensive handle assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft module and a handle module selectively separable from one another. The elongated shaft module includes an elongated shaft member and a pair of jaw members supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft member, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other jaw member between open and closed positions. The handle module includes a housing including an opening extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening is dimensioned to permit passage of the pair of jaw members in the closed position. The handle module also includes a movable handle movable relative to the housing to move the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions, and a lock to secure the elongated shaft module in place within the housing.