Multi-lumen surgical connector with RFID tag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical utility connectors are inconvenient for connecting and disconnecting surgical implements that require multiple utility inputs, as they often involve multiple connections and can suffer from utility leakage due to degraded O-rings, and struggle to differentiate multiple utility inputs effectively.
Innovation Solution
A multi-lumen surgical utility connector with a first and second connecting region, and corresponding utility channels, along with a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, which allows for easy connection of multiple utilities through a single port and automatic determination of utility supply based on the RFID information, and features easily replaceable O-rings for maintaining a seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate utility ports and connectors are used to provide multiple utilities to a surgical implement, then each utility can be independently controlled and differentiated, but the complexity of connection and disconnection increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple utility ports (first utility port, second utility port, third utility port) into a single integrated connector assembly. The surgical implement connector includes multiple connecting regions that can simultaneously connect to multiple utility ports, allowing all utilities to be delivered through one unified connection point rather than requiring separate connections for each utility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first connecting region for the first utility port, a second connecting region for the second utility port, and a third connecting region for the third utility port. Each region can be independently configured with appropriate sealing elements and connection mechanisms, allowing differentiated utility delivery while maintaining a unified connector structure.
2Reliability
If O-rings are used to create air-tight seals at male utility ports, then utility leakage is prevented during operation, but the O-rings degrade over time due to cleaning agents and repetitive connection/disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs O-rings as replaceable sealing elements that can be easily removed and replaced when degraded. The connector design allows the O-rings to be accessed and replaced without replacing the entire connector assembly, effectively treating the O-rings as disposable or semi-disposable components that maintain system reliability while having limited service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector system allows for the discarding of degraded O-rings and their replacement with new ones. The design facilitates easy removal of old O-rings and installation of new ones, enabling the recovery and reuse of the main connector body while replacing only the consumable sealing elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If male and female connectors with O-rings are used to differentiate utility inputs, then two utility inputs can be distinguished, but it becomes difficult to further differentiate three or more utility inputs
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple distinct connecting regions (first, second, and third connecting regions), each associated with a specific utility port. Each region can have unique characteristics such as different threading patterns, different seal configurations, or different engagement mechanisms, enabling differentiation of three or more utility inputs without requiring entirely different connector types.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the connector have different local properties: the first connecting region may have specific threading and seal characteristics for the first utility, the second connecting region has different characteristics for the second utility, and the third connecting region has yet another configuration for the third utility. This local differentiation allows multiple utilities to be distinguished and connected appropriately.
Data Source
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AI summary
A multi-lumen surgical utility connector is configured to receive two or more utilities from a surgical utility supplying device. The multi-lumen surgical utility connector may be connected to a utility port of the surgical utility supplying device which supplies two or more utilities. 5 The multi-lumen surgical utility connector may include a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag which identifies the type or model of multi-lumen surgical utility connector. The surgical utility supplying device may determine the type and parameters of utilities to be supplied through the multilumen surgical utility connector based on information read from the RFID tag.