Internal Paddle Electrode Gas Passage for Autoclave Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internal paddle electrodes with non-separable handles face issues during sterilization, as the hermetically sealed structure leads to increased internal pressure during autoclave sterilization, causing the cover to deform, and blood or liquids can penetrate through gaps during washing.
Innovation Solution
The internal paddle electrode features a gas passage in the cable with a block preventing structure, allowing gas to escape through multiple through holes and an air gap between the shielding material and insulating member, maintaining a hermetically sealed handle for washing and preventing deformation during autoclave sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handle has a hermetically sealed structure to prevent blood and liquids from penetrating during washing, then washing capability is improved, but the cover deforms due to internal pressure increase during autoclave sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into a waterproof chamber and a non-waterproof chamber, separated by a waterproof wall member. This segmentation allows the waterproof chamber to maintain hermetic sealing for washing while the non-waterproof chamber accommodates pressure changes during sterilization, preventing cover deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
A gas passage is introduced as an intermediary element within the cable to allow pressure equalization during autoclave sterilization. The gas passage includes through holes and a block preventing structure that prevents liquid entry while permitting gas flow to relieve internal pressure, thus preventing cover deformation.
2Reliability
If the electrode and handle have a hermetically sealed structure to enable washing with flowing water, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the internal pressure becomes higher than external pressure during autoclave sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is segmented into waterproof and non-waterproof chambers. The waterproof chamber maintains hermetic sealing for effective cleaning, while the non-waterproof chamber and integrated gas passage system manage pressure differential during sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas passage is extracted as a separate functional element within the cable structure. It includes communication openings and block preventing structures that separate the functions of pressure equalization and liquid prevention, allowing pressure relief without compromising cleaning effectiveness.
3Device complexity
If the handle is non-separable from the electrode to simplify structure, then device complexity is reduced, but blood and liquids can penetrate through gaps during washing
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof chamber, non-waterproof chamber, and gas passage system are merged into an integrated handle structure. This combination maintains structural simplicity while achieving reliable waterproof performance through the waterproof wall member and pressure equalization mechanisms.
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
This design enables effective washing and sterilization without cover deformation, preventing gas passage blockage and entry of liquids or blood during autoclave processes, ensuring the handle remains intact and functional.
Implementation Method 1
a gas passage which communicates the inside of the handle with the outside is formed in the cable
Implementation Method 2
a block preventing structure which prevents a liquid or blood from blocking the gas passage is formed in the cable
Data Source
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AI summary
An internal paddle electrode includes: an electrode which is to be in contact with a living body to apply a voltage; a cable which includes a voltage supply path that extends between a voltage supply source and the electrode; a handle which includes: a first portion that supports the electrode and is hermetically sealed with the electrode; and a second portion that is connected to the cable and is hermetically sealed with the cable; and a gas passage through which a gas in the handle communicates with external air that is outside the handle.