Removable Outflow Cartridge for Surgical Fluid Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fluid management systems for surgical procedures, such as arthroscopic surgery, often require the disposal of single cartridge systems after each use, lacking the ability for independent replacement of outflow cartridges, which increases costs and reduces efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A dual cartridge assembly with a removably coupled outflow cartridge, featuring a latch mechanism and magnetic coupling system, allows for independent replacement and reuse of the outflow cartridge, enhancing versatility and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a single cartridge system is used for both inflow and outflow, then the system is simpler to assemble, but the outflow cartridge cannot be independently replaced, increasing disposal costs and reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem assembly simplicityVSAvoidindependent cartridge replacement capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate inflow and outflow cartridges that can be independently handled. The outflow cartridge can be detached and replaced without disposing of the entire assembly or the inflow cartridge, enabling selective replacement and reducing waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outflow cartridge is designed to nest within or couple to the inflow cartridge in a compact configuration. This nested arrangement maintains system simplicity when both cartridges are attached, while allowing the outflow cartridge to be independently removed when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If completely separate inflow and outflow tubing systems are used, then independent replacement is possible, but the system complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent cartridge replacement capabilityVSAvoidnumber of separate components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inflow and outflow cartridges are designed to couple together as a unified assembly during use, reducing the number of separate components in the system. The coupling mechanism integrates the two cartridges into a single handleable unit while maintaining the capability for independent outflow cartridge replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If single cartridge systems are disposed of after each use, then sterilization and contamination concerns are eliminated, but costs increase and efficiency decreases due to inability to reuse components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization and contamination controlVSAvoiddisposal of functional components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The outflow cartridge, which is more prone to contamination from patient contact, is extracted as a separate replaceable component. This allows the inflow cartridge to be reused across multiple patients after sterilization, while the outflow cartridge can be disposed of or sterilized separately, optimizing both cost and infection control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9572921B2Cartridge assembly

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 SMITH & NEPHEW INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a cartridge assembly. The cartridge assembly includes an inflow cartridge and an outflow cartridge removably coupled to the inflow cartridge. An outflow cartridge and a surgical fluid management system are also disclosed.