Seal Assembly Rotation Prevention Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures require a reliable seal assembly to prevent gas and fluid leakage, but existing mechanisms often fail to prevent inadvertent rotation and disconnection of seal housing components, which can compromise the integrity of the seal during instrument insertion and manipulation.
Innovation Solution
A rotation prevention mechanism is integrated into the seal assembly, comprising a finger with a ramp and a protrusion, which automatically prevents inadvertent rotation but allows user-actuated disconnection, ensuring a secure seal and facilitating the use of instruments of varying diameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable seal assembly is used to accommodate instruments of varying diameters, then adaptability is improved, but the risk of inadvertent rotation and disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion and ramp are pre-configured to automatically engage and prevent rotation before inadvertent disconnection can occur. The finger's resilient movement allows the mechanism to preemptively counteract rotational forces that could lead to disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The finger acts as an intermediary component between the protrusion and the housing, translating rotational movement into linear resilient movement. This intermediary mechanism allows controlled rotation while preventing unwanted disconnection.
2Reliability
If a rotation prevention mechanism is added to prevent inadvertent disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation prevention mechanism is merged with the existing seal assembly components. The protrusion, ramp, and finger are integrated into the housing structure, eliminating the need for separate rotation prevention devices and minimizing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient finger automatically engages and disengages the protrusion based on rotational forces, without requiring external control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the inherent mechanical properties of the resilient material to prevent inadvertent rotation.
3Ease of operation
If the finger is made resilient to allow movement, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The finger's resilience parameter is optimized to allow sufficient movement for easy operation while maintaining enough structural integrity to engage the ramp reliably. The ramp angle and protrusion dimensions are parameterized to accommodate reasonable manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient finger provides a cushioning effect that compensates for minor misalignments between the ramp and protrusion. This beforehand cushioning allows the mechanism to function reliably even when manufacturing precision varies within acceptable tolerances.
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 mechanism effectively maintains a gas-tight seal, reduces the risk of leakage, and allows for easy disconnection of seal components, accommodating various surgical instruments and reducing the need for excessive rotation during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The finger is configured for resilient movement relative to the main housing about its point of attachment thereto, such that at least a portion of the finger is moveable distally relative to the main housing
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical access device that includes a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes an upper housing portion having a first seal and a lower housing portion including a second seal. The upper housing portion is rotatably connectable to the lower housing portion. The surgical access device also includes a rotation prevention mechanism configured to prevent inadvertent relative rotation of, and disconnection of, the upper housing portion and the lower housing portion. The rotation prevention mechanism is further configured to be selectively actuated by a user, such that, when actuated, the upper housing portion is selectively rotatable relative to, and disconnectable from, the lower housing portion.