Reinforcing Slider Distributes Steering Forces in Surgical Hand Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern ophthalmic surgical instruments with smaller gauge needles are prone to damage due to concentrated steering forces when used to manipulate the eye, as the forces applied to steer the eye are concentrated at the point where the instrument tube enters the eye or a cannula, leading to potential instrument failure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical hand tool design featuring a handle with a primary tube and a reinforcing slider that provides structural support, along with a biasing member and retention mechanism, allowing the reinforcing slider to absorb steering forces and distribute them more evenly, reducing the stress on the primary tube and enabling safer manipulation of the eye.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If smaller gauge needles are used to miniaturize surgical instruments, then the precision and minimally invasive capability are improved, but the strength and reliability deteriorate due to concentrated steering forces
Solution Approach 1:
A reinforcing slider is nested within the handle cavity that can slide over the primary tube when forces are applied. The slider contains an inner tube and outer tube structure that provides additional reinforcement to the small gauge needle during steering operations, preventing buckling while maintaining the miniaturized design.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing slider is designed to be dynamically deployable - it slides outward from the handle cavity when steering forces are applied, providing reinforcement only when needed. This dynamic mechanism allows the instrument to maintain its miniaturized form during normal use while gaining enhanced strength during steering operations.
2Ease of operation
If smaller gauge needles are used, then the ease of operation for minimally invasive surgery is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to force concentration at the cannula entry point
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing slider is pre-positioned within the handle cavity, ready to be deployed before steering forces are applied. The biasing member pre-loads the slider in a retracted position, so that when the surgeon applies steering forces, the slider automatically slides outward to provide reinforcement, preventing force concentration damage before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing slider acts as a cushioning element that deploys in advance to absorb and distribute steering forces. By having the slider ready to engage before excessive forces are applied to the small gauge needle, the system prevents damage rather than reacting to it after the fact.
3Strength
If a hard cannula is used to support the instrument, then the structural support is improved, but the reliability worsens due to concentrated forces at the cannula entry point
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing slider acts as an intermediary element between the handle and the primary tube. Instead of the small gauge needle directly engaging the hard cannula (which concentrates forces), the slider intermediates the connection, distributing forces more evenly across a larger surface area and preventing stress concentration at the cannula entry point.
4Strength
If robust 20 gauge tubing is used, then the strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation for minimally invasive surgery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its structural properties - during normal minimally invasive operations, only the small 27 gauge primary tube is deployed, providing ease of operation. When steering forces are applied, the reinforcing slider slides outward to provide additional structural support, allowing the instrument to transition from a minimally invasive configuration to a reinforced configuration as needed.
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 hand tool effectively reduces the likelihood of instrument damage by distributing steering forces more evenly, enhancing the durability and usability of small gauge needles during ophthalmic surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member coupled to the handle that biases the reinforcing slider away from the handle
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A surgical hand tool includes a handle that has an inner cavity. The handle has a proximal end and a distal end. The surgical hand tool also includes a primary tube extending outwardly from the cavity at the distal end, a reinforcing slider slidably disposed over the primary tube, and a biasing member coupled to the handle that biases the reinforcing slider away from the handle. The surgical hand tool also includes a retention mechanism coupled to the handle, the retention mechanism configured to engage and disengage with the reinforcing slider to control relative movement between the reinforcement slider and the handle.