Removable Insert for Surgical Handpiece Cleaning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical handpieces face challenges in user-friendly cleaning and sterilization, particularly in accessing areas around the cutting tool connection and aspiration channel, which can lead to inadequate cleaning before sterilization.

Innovation Solution

A surgical handpiece design featuring a removable insert with a groove and tabs for easy aspiration of fluid and tissue, a valve for controlling aspiration, and an access port with a cover for cleaning and sterilization access, allowing for the removal and replacement of the insert to facilitate thorough cleaning and sterilization of internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handpiece uses a fixed integrated design, then structural integrity is maintained, but cleaning and sterilization access is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning and sterilization accessVSAvoidhandpiece structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handpiece is divided into modular components including a removable insert with cutting tool, a valve assembly, and an access port with cover. This segmentation allows each component to be independently accessed, cleaned, and sterilized while maintaining overall structural integrity when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert containing the cutting tool and aspiration channel is designed to be completely removed from the handpiece body. This extraction enables thorough cleaning of internal channels and surfaces that would otherwise be inaccessible, while the main handpiece structure remains intact for reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If the handpiece has sealed aspiration channels, then fluid containment is improved, but access for cleaning is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidcleaning access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The design incorporates preliminary disassembly steps where the insert and valve are removed before cleaning begins. This preliminary action exposes the sealed aspiration channels and internal surfaces, allowing thorough cleaning while maintaining fluid containment integrity during normal operation when components are assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The removable insert acts as an intermediary component that provides access to the sealed aspiration channels. When removed, it allows cleaning solutions to reach internal surfaces; when installed, it restores the sealed fluid containment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the cutting tool connection area is sealed, then sterile barrier is maintained, but cleaning accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterile barrierVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting tool connection area is integrated into the removable insert. By extracting the entire insert from the handpiece body, complete access to the connection area is achieved, allowing thorough cleaning and sterilization while maintaining the sterile barrier function when the insert is properly reinstalled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The insert is designed as a disposable or reusable component that can be completely removed, cleaned, sterilized, and replaced. This approach ensures the cutting tool connection area maintains sterile barrier integrity during use while allowing complete cleaning access when the insert is removed or replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 design enables effective cleaning and sterilization of the handpiece, ensuring proper hygiene and reducing the risk of residual contamination, while allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of components.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device is coupled to the insert for removal of the tissue

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2482738B1Surgical handpiece for endoscopic resection
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 SMITH & NEPHEW INC
  • EP2482738B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2482738B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2482738B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a surgical handpiece (10) including an insert (30) removably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the insert is configured to allow aspiration of fluid and tissue through the insert during a surgical procedure. Other surgical handpieces and a method for the removal of tissue during an endoscopic procedure are also disclosed.