Disposable Pump Cartridge Clutch for Reusable Motor Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phacoemulsification procedures face challenges with the difficulty of sterilizing and repeatedly replacing progressive cavity pumps, which are costly and inefficient due to the need for entire pump apparatus replacement after use.
Innovation Solution
A disposable cartridge system with two progressive cavity pumps, one for fluid delivery to the eye and another for debris aspiration, is designed to be inserted into a base with motors and a mechanical coupling mechanism, allowing for easy locking and unlocking, and subsequent disposal after use, while the base is reused.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If progressive cavity pumps are reused after phacoemulsification procedures, then cost is reduced, but sterilization difficulty and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into two segments: a reusable base containing the motor and a disposable cartridge containing the progressive cavity pump. This segmentation allows the pump to be discarded after use, eliminating sterilization requirements while maintaining cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The progressive cavity pump is implemented as a disposable cartridge that is inexpensive to manufacture and intended for single-use only. This eliminates the need for sterilization and ensures reliability by preventing cross-contamination between procedures.
2Reliability
If entire pump apparatus is replaced after each use, then sterilization issues are eliminated, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pump apparatus is segmented into a reusable base and a disposable cartridge. Only the cartridge is replaced after each use, while the expensive base is retained and reused, significantly reducing overall cost compared to replacing the entire apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable cartridge is discarded after single use to ensure sterilization reliability, while the reusable base is recovered and reused for subsequent procedures, minimizing waste and cost.
3Loss of time
If disposable cartridges are used for each procedure, then sterilization time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The progressive cavity pump is extracted from the reusable base and placed in a separate disposable cartridge. This extraction simplifies the overall system by allowing the cartridge to be quickly inserted and removed without complex sterilization procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
A mechanical coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the reusable base and disposable cartridge. This coupling mechanism facilitates easy connection and disconnection while maintaining fluidic and mechanical integrity, managing the complexity of the interface.
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 solution enables cost-effective and efficient phacoemulsification procedures by allowing the inexpensive disposable cartridge to be replaced after each procedure, eliminating the need for extensive cleaning and reducing the overall expense of pump apparatus replacement.
Implementation Method 1
two springs slidably disposed over the shafts, respectively, the springs being configured to couple the shafts with the rotors by pushing the second connectors toward the first connectors
Implementation Method 2
the lock further includes a spring configured to lock the cartridge in place by holding the locking element in the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mechanically coupling a motor to a rotor includes an outer ring including an inner surface shaped to define multiple recesses, an inner ring disposed within the outer ring and shaped to define multiple compartments having respective outer openings, which face the outer ring, and respective inner openings opposite the outer openings, and multiple gripping elements disposed within the compartments, respectively. The inner ring is configured to receive the rotor while the compartments are aligned with the of recesses, by virtue of the gripping elements sitting at least partially within the recesses. The outer ring is configured to couple with a shaft coupled with the motor such that rotation of the shaft by the motor causes the compartments to become misaligned with the recesses, thereby causing the outer ring to push the gripping elements, through the outer openings, against the rotor, through the inner openings.