Sealed Connector Assembly for Surgical Stapler Sensor Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical stapling apparatus face challenges in maintaining a sealed electrical connection despite exposure to conductive bodily fluids, which can lead to short circuits and interference with sensor data transmission.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a mechanical structure with sealed electrical connectors and rotatable lug systems to ensure a sealed electrical connection between the loading unit and the elongated shaft, using annular ribs, spring contacts, and seals to prevent contamination from bodily fluids, allowing for reliable data transfer from sensors to the housing assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical connectors are exposed to conductive bodily fluids during surgical procedures, then sensor data transmission can be achieved, but short circuits and interference with sensor data transmission occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is divided into separate components: a first electrical connector in the adapter assembly and a second electrical connector in the loading unit. These segmented connectors can be independently sealed and protected, allowing each to be optimized for fluid resistance while maintaining electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the electrical connectors and the external environment (bodily fluids). This seal acts as a barrier that prevents direct contact between conductive fluids and electrical contacts, eliminating the harmful interaction while preserving electrical connectivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealed electrical connectors are implemented to prevent fluid contamination, then protection from bodily fluids is improved, but the complexity of the connector assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is nested within the connector assembly structure, with the first and second electrical connectors positioned in relation to the seal. This nested arrangement integrates the sealing function into the existing connector geometry without requiring separate, complex sealing mechanisms, thus minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: electrical connectivity, mechanical coupling, and fluid sealing. By integrating these functions into a unified structure rather than separate components, the overall complexity is reduced while achieving comprehensive protection.
3Ease of operation
If rotatable lug systems are used to enable coupling between adapter and loading unit, then ease of attachment is improved, but the difficulty of ensuring sealed connection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is pre-positioned in the adapter assembly before the loading unit is attached. The rotatable lug system is designed to guide the loading unit into a predetermined position where the connectors align with the pre-positioned seal, ensuring proper sealing without requiring high precision during the attachment operation itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable lug system incorporates curved or rounded surfaces that guide the loading unit into proper alignment with the seal during rotation. This curved geometry provides mechanical guidance that ensures the connectors engage with the seal at the correct position, reducing the precision requirements for manual assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a housing assembly, an elongated shaft extending from the housing assembly, a housing electrical connector assembly, and a loading unit selectively attachable to the elongated shaft. The loading unit extends distally to an end effector supporting at least one sensor. The loading unit supports a loading unit electrical connector assembly on a proximal end portion of loading unit. The loading unit electrical connector assembly is positioned to contact the housing electrical connector assembly when the loading unit electrical connector assembly is received within the elongated shaft to electrically couple the at least one sensor to the housing assembly.