Reusable Surgical Implement With Flexible Sterile Enclosure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical tools made of metal face issues with sterilization, as the process can cause brittleness or damage to the metal and coatings, affecting their stability and integrity, posing a risk during subsequent uses.
Innovation Solution
A surgical implement with a rigid core made of a flexible material, such as a shape memory alloy, is enclosed within a biologically inert and flexible silicone enclosure that can be sterilized without degrading, allowing multiple uses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal is used for surgical tools to provide rigidity, then the tool effectiveness is improved, but the tool becomes brittle or damaged after sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical tool is divided into two distinct components: a rigid core that provides structural strength and a flexible sterile sheath that protects the core during sterilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sterile sheath acts as an intermediary layer between the rigid metal core and the sterilization environment. This sheath protects the metal core from direct exposure to sterilization conditions that would cause brittleness, while still allowing the tool to be sterilized effectively.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If coating is applied to metal implements to protect them, then the protective properties are improved, but the coating becomes damaged upon sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sterile sheath serves as an intermediary that eliminates the need for protective coatings on the metal core. The sheath itself provides the protective function, allowing the metal to remain uncoated and thus avoid coating damage during sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheath can be disposed of after a single use, eliminating the need for durable protective coatings on the expensive metal core. This approach is more economical than maintaining expensive coatings through multiple sterilization cycles.
3Ease of operation
If rigid material is used for surgical tools to perform tasks effectively, then the tool functionality is improved, but the tool cannot accommodate flexibility requirements in the body
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into a rigid core for structural integrity and functionality, and a flexible sheath for adaptability. This allows the rigid core to maintain its shape for effective task performance while the flexible sheath conforms to the patient's anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sterile sheath encloses the rigid core, providing the necessary flexibility to conform to the patient's body contours while the rigid core inside maintains the structural integrity needed for surgical tasks.
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 solution ensures the implement maintains its structural integrity and flexibility, enabling safe reuse by accommodating shape conformance within the body and effective sterilization post-use.
Implementation Method 1
A surgical implement with a rigid core made of a flexible material, such as a shape memory alloy
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable surgical implement is provided that is formed of a core positioned within an enclosure. The core is formed of a suitable rigid, and optionally flexible material to enable the implant to conform to the desired use for the implement in a surgical procedure. The material forming the enclosure is also stretchable and flexible to accommodate the configuration and/or any flexing of the core, and is biologically inert to enable the implant to be sterilized after use for use in subsequent surgical procedures while protecting the material forming the core. The enclosure can be molded around the core in separate portions or components using multiple molding steps to form an enclosure with the desired attributes.