Ophthalmology Hand-Held Device Housing Segmentation for Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hand-held medical devices, particularly those used in ophthalmology, are difficult to clean thoroughly due to the tool being partially inaccessible when in storage position, leading to risks of damage or loss during cleaning, especially in washing machines.
Innovation Solution
The device features openings in the housing wall on all sides, allowing the cleaning jet to reach the tool in its storage position, ensuring effective cleaning and protection while maintaining the tool's safety, with a design that includes a cylindrical housing, compression spring for actuation, and safety catches to prevent unintentional deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tool is kept in the storage position inside the housing for safety, then the risk of damage or injury is reduced, but the tool becomes partially inaccessible for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall is segmented with multiple openings distributed around the circumference, allowing cleaning access to the tool in storage position without compromising the overall protective enclosure. The openings are strategically positioned to provide cleaning pathways while maintaining structural integrity and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is modified with localized openings only in the regions where cleaning access is needed, rather than making the entire housing open. This allows selective access for cleaning while maintaining safety in other areas, creating different functional zones in the housing structure.
2Ease of operation
If the tool is left in the working position outside the housing for cleaning, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the risk of damage or injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented with openings that allow cleaning jets to reach the tool while it remains protected inside the housing. This segmentation creates pathways for cleaning media to penetrate the housing and clean the tool in situ, eliminating the need to expose the tool externally.
3Ease of operation
If the housing is made completely open for cleaning access, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the protective function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall is segmented into multiple sections with strategically positioned openings, allowing cleaning access while maintaining the overall enclosed structure. The openings are distributed around the circumference to provide comprehensive cleaning coverage without compromising the protective enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure incorporates localized openings only where cleaning access is required, maintaining the protective function in all other areas. This creates a differential structure where different regions serve different functions: openings for cleaning access, solid walls for protection.
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
Enables complete and safe cleaning of the device, including the tool, in a washing machine, ensuring both external and internal surfaces are cleaned and sterilized, reducing the risk of damage or loss and enhancing operational safety.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring (11) arranged between the piston (10) and the housing (1), against the force of which the tool (4) can be pushed into the working position
Implementation Method 2
the spray or cleaning jet in the washing machine reaches the dirty tool
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Disclosed is a hand-held medical device, especially a surgical cutting device, preferably used in ophthalmology, comprising a housing (1) that is used as a grip piece and a tool holder (3), particularly for a knife. The tool holder (3) is disposed in the housing (1) so as to be movable by means of an actuating mechanism (2). The tool (4) can be moved from a stored position inside the housing into an operational position outside the housing by actuating the actuating mechanism. Said hand-held medical device is characterized in that the housing is provided with openings (5) in the housing wall (6), at least in the area of the tool that is in the stored position.