Ring-Handle Opening Mechanism for Automated Instrument Unlocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated handling of medical instruments, particularly those with ring handles, is challenging due to the need for precise opening and unlocking, which is strenuous for employees in medical device reprocessing units, and existing solutions are limited by the assumption of clean and closed instruments or lack of CAD data.
Innovation Solution
An opening system with movable axles and swivel clamping devices, integrated into a gripping system with object recognition and control units, allows automated opening and unlocking of medical instruments with ring handles, using pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric drives for precise angle adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual opening and handling of medical instruments is performed, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but employee health is harmed and work becomes tiring and strenuous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated opening system that uses actuators, swivel clamping devices, and base elements to perform opening and unlocking operations. This substitution eliminates the need for employees to manually handle heavy or difficult-to-open instruments, thereby reducing physical strain and health harm while maintaining operational effectiveness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing unlocking devices are used, then unlocking function is provided, but the devices cannot be adjusted to the opening angle of medical instruments and require manual insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic components including movable axles, swivel clamping devices, and actuators that can adjust their position and angle. The swivel clamping devices can pivot to accommodate different instrument opening angles, and the actuators can dynamically position the axles to match various instrument configurations, providing both adaptability and automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening system is designed with universal components that can handle multiple types of medical instruments. The swivel clamping devices and adjustable axles can accommodate different instrument sizes, shapes, and opening angles, allowing a single system to perform multiple functions without requiring manual intervention for each instrument type.
3Productivity
If automated handling systems are implemented, then productivity increases and personnel workload decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the automated handling system into distinct functional modules: base elements for support, axles for positioning, swivel clamping devices for securing instruments, and actuators for movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function independently, simplifying the overall system design and maintenance while enabling high productivity through coordinated operation of multiple specialized components.
Data Source
AI summary
An opening system opens and/or unlocks a medical, in particular surgical, instrument with ring handles. The opening system includes a base and two axles arranged on the base. The axles are movable relative to each other by an actuator. The axles are arranged on flat base elements that are at different distances from the base. Ring handles of a surgical instrument can be threaded onto the axles. Two swivel clamping devices have clamping elements for clamping the ring handles threaded onto the axles to the base elements.