Shaft Web Geometry for Jam-Free Surgical Optical Unit Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld surgical devices face challenges in reliably positioning an optical unit and access articles, such as catheters, within the shaft when the working channel diameter is similar to or larger than the optical unit diameter, leading to jamming and operational delays.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of at least one web on the inner shaft wall, configured obliquely to guide the optical unit into a bore and a concave separating wall to guide the access article, ensuring precise positioning and preventing jamming, regardless of the shaft's cross-sectional shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the working channel diameter is made similar to or larger than the optical unit diameter, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to jamming and positioning failures
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft cross-section is designed with an asymmetric shape (oval or circular) rather than a symmetric shape, which causes the optical unit to sag and block the working channel. The asymmetric geometry creates a preferred positioning path that guides the optical unit into the bore while maintaining adequate working channel diameter for catheter passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is pre-configured with specific geometric features (asymmetric cross-section, bore positioning) that automatically guide the optical unit into the correct position during insertion. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures proper positioning occurs naturally during the insertion process without requiring additional active control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the shaft cross section is configured ovally or circularly to accommodate larger working channel, then the ease of operation is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates as the optical unit is no longer automatically guided into the bore
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric shaft cross-section (oval or circular) creates a geometric constraint that guides the optical unit into the bore during insertion. The asymmetric geometry ensures the optical unit follows a predetermined path and automatically positions itself correctly without requiring additional positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft is pre-configured with specific geometric features (asymmetric cross-section, bore positioning) that automatically guide the optical unit into the correct position during insertion. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures proper positioning occurs naturally during the insertion process.
3Manufacturing precision
If the optical unit is fixed in a bore in the shaft tip, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The bore structure is merged with the shaft tip geometry itself, rather than being a separate added component. The asymmetric shaft cross-section and bore positioning are integrated into the overall shaft design, achieving precise optical unit positioning without adding significant structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A shaft and a handheld surgical device with which an optical unit and an access article may be positioned in a simple and reliable way in the shaft. This is achieved in that at least one web, through which an optical unit is directed from the proximal end of the shaft into a bore of a shaft tip, is arranged on an inner wall of a shaft. The at least one web is configured in such a way that the distal tip of the optical unit is guided into the bore when the optical unit is inserted into the shaft, specifically regardless of the shape of the cross section of the shaft.