Pivotable Battery Assembly for Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable surgical instruments face challenges with battery assemblies that need to be frequently uncoupled for sterilization, charging, or recharging, creating inefficiencies and hazards in the operating room environment.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring a pivotably engageable battery assembly with a latch mechanism that allows easy attachment and detachment from the handpiece, incorporating a docking portion with apertures and protrusions for secure electrical communication, and an over-pressure safety vent for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the battery assembly is made removable for sterilization and charging, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of time increases due to frequent uncoupling and recoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The battery assembly is designed as a separate, removable component from the surgical instrument handpiece. This segmentation allows the battery to be independently removed for sterilization and charging without affecting the main instrument, enabling quick exchange while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism between battery assembly and handpiece is designed to be dynamically changeable between locked and unlocked states. The release mechanism allows rapid transition from a secure connected state during surgery to a detached state for maintenance, optimizing both operational ease and time efficiency.
2Reliability
If the battery assembly is securely latched to the handpiece, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removal
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism features asymmetric design where the engagement direction requires significant force for secure latching, while the release direction is designed for easy actuation through a simple motion of the release mechanism. This allows strong connection during use but simple removal when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A release mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the user and the battery coupling system. This intermediary provides a convenient interface for rapid detachment without requiring direct manipulation of the secure latching components, enabling easy removal while maintaining reliable connection during surgery.
3Reliability
If electrical circuitry is exposed for battery engagement, then electrical communication is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to potential electrical hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are nested within the battery assembly and handpiece coupling interface, hidden from external view during operation. The contacts are only exposed momentarily during the battery exchange process, minimizing exposure time while ensuring reliable electrical connection when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical circuitry is pre-positioned and shielded within the coupling mechanism before battery engagement. Conductive components are arranged to automatically align and connect upon battery insertion, eliminating the need for exposed wiring during manual connection and reducing electrical hazards.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument is provided and includes a housing including an elongated shaft. The housing includes a docking portion that includes one or more apertures defined therein and electrical circuitry disposed therein. An end effector is operably supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft. A battery assembly is selectively and pivotably engageable with the docking portion of the housing and configured to generate electrical energy. The battery assembly includes one or more protrusions that are configured to releasably engage the aperture(s) on the docking portion and a latch mechanism that is movable from an initial position for latching the battery assembly to the docking portion to a subsequent position for unlatching the battery assembly from the docking portion. The battery assembly is adapted to communicate with the electrical circuitry of the docking member upon insertion of the battery assembly into the at least one aperture.