Non-contact Button Assembly for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Powered surgical instruments face challenges in withstanding the autoclave process due to cyclic pressurizing and depressurizing, which damages electrical components, and existing solutions like sealing or membrane coverings fatigue and allow steam to enter, causing instrument failure.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact button assembly for powered surgical instruments featuring a light emitter, detector, rocker switch, and button shaft with a flange, where the button shaft's position determines whether light can illuminate the detector, preventing steam ingress and maintaining functionality during sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control buttons and switches are sealed or covered with membranes to protect against steam, then protection against steam ingress is improved, but the seals or membranes fatigue from cyclic pressurizing and depressurizing during autoclave sterilization, causing steam to enter and the instrument to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the vulnerable mechanical seals and membranes from the control button assembly. Instead of using contact-based switching mechanisms that require sealing, the invention employs optical sensors and light-emitting diodes that can detect button presses through non-contact means, eliminating the need for protective seals that fatigue during sterilization cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical switching system (buttons connected to physical switches through seals and membranes) with an optical detection system. Light-emitting diodes emit light that is detected by optical sensors to trigger control functions, substituting mechanical contact and sealing requirements with optical field-based interaction that is inherently resistant to steam and pressure cycling
2Ease of operation
If traditional contact-based switches are used in control buttons, then ease of operation is improved, but the switches and seals cannot withstand repeated autoclave sterilization cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical switches with optical sensors and light-emitting diodes. When a button is pressed, it modulates or blocks light between the LED and optical sensor, triggering the control function without requiring physical contact through seals. This optical system maintains button responsiveness while eliminating the mechanical components that fail during sterilization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the button interface and the control system. Instead of direct mechanical contact transmitting the press signal through seals, the button press modulates light transmission or reflection, which is then detected by optical sensors. This light-mediated interaction provides both ease of operation and resistance to sterilization conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents steam from entering the electrical components, enhancing the durability and reliability of powered surgical instruments by ensuring the buttons and switches remain functional after repeated sterilization cycles.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter configured to emit light, a light detector
Data Source
AI summary
A non-contact button assembly for a powered surgical instrument includes a light emitter, a rocker switch, and a button shaft. The rocker switch defines a through passage about a longitudinal axis of the button assembly. The button shaft is disposed within the through passage. The button shaft includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a flange positioned therebetween. The button shaft has a deactivated position such that the button shaft is configured to prevent light from the light emitter from illuminating a light detector and the button shaft has an activated position such that the button shaft is configured to permit light emitted from the light emitter to illuminate the light detector.