Sealed Trocar Assembly for Cleaner Stapler Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reusable components of surgical stapling devices face challenges in sterilization due to fluid and contaminant ingress, making the process difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A sealed trocar assembly with an annular seal and seal retainer is integrated into the adaptor assembly, forming a fluid-tight seal to prevent contaminants from entering the device, simplifying the cleaning and sterilization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reusable components are designed without sealed configurations, then device complexity is reduced and assembly is simpler, but fluid and contaminant ingress occurs making sterilization difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an annular seal (a flexible membrane element) positioned within the trocar housing to create a fluid-tight barrier. This flexible film prevents fluid and contaminant ingress into the adaptor assembly while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure, thus resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The annular seal acts as an intermediary element between the trocar (which moves in and out) and the adaptor assembly housing. This mediator prevents direct contact between external fluids and the internal components of the adaptor assembly, enabling effective sterilization of reusable parts while keeping the device design straightforward
2Object-affected harmful factors
If annular seal is added to trocar assembly, then fluid-tight seal is formed preventing contaminant ingress, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The annular seal is implemented as a simple flexible membrane element with a sealing surface that frictionally engages the trocar. This thin film approach provides effective contamination prevention without adding significant structural complexity to the trocar assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into a dedicated annular seal component rather than integrating it into the main trocar structure. This separate sealing element can be independently positioned and retained by the seal retainer, simplifying the overall assembly while providing effective contamination protection
3Reliability
If annular seal with frictional engagement is used, then fluid-tight seal is achieved, but axial movement of seal is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The annular seal is designed as a flexible membrane that can accommodate axial movement of the trocar through elastic deformation. The frictional engagement provides sufficient sealing pressure while the flexibility allows the seal to move axially with the trocar, resolving the contradiction between seal integrity and operational mobility
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design utilizes changes in material properties (flexibility and elastic modulus) to enable the seal to maintain frictional engagement while accommodating axial displacement. The seal can deform elastically during trocar insertion and removal, maintaining sealing pressure throughout the range of motion
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 sealed configuration effectively prevents fluid ingress, reducing the complexity of device assembly and disassembly, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of sterilization for reusable components.
Implementation Method 1
the inner annular surface of the annular seal is frictionally engaged to the elongate body portion of the trocar to form a fluid-tight seal between the annular seal and the trocar
Implementation Method 2
an annular seal positioned within the lumen of the trocar housing... to prevent ingress of fluids therein
Data Source
AI summary
A stapling device includes a handle assembly and an adaptor assembly extending from the handle assembly and including a sealed trocar assembly. The trocar assembly includes a trocar housing defining a lumen, an annular seal having an inner annular surface defining an inner opening, and a trocar disposed within the lumen of the trocar housing, through the inner opening of the annular seal, and movable through the lumen of the trocar and the inner opening of the annular seal, and a seal retainer operably coupled to the trocar housing and the annular seal. The trocar includes an elongate body portion having a distal end and a trocar member extending distally from the distal end of the elongate body portion.