Shape-Coded Shaft Connection for Modular Surgical Instruments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments with disassemblable components require complex manufacturing due to specialized connector geometries for tool customization, leading to high production costs and potential misuse or damage from improper combinations.
Innovation Solution
A connection apparatus with shape-coding dimensions on the shaft connection element and receiving device ensures compatible components are assembled correctly, preventing unauthorized combinations and allowing for modular, adaptable surgical instruments with backward compatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If specialized connector geometries are used for tool customization, then adaptability of surgical instrument components is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft connection element is designed as a universal hollow body connector that can accommodate different transmission elements (pull rods for cutting, coagulating, or gripping functions) through a single standardized interface. This universal design allows the same connector geometry to serve multiple surgical functions by simply changing the inserted accessory shaft, thereby achieving adaptability without increasing connector complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument is divided into separable components: a reusable instrument base with receiving device, and replaceable accessory shafts with shaft connection elements. This segmentation allows the complex functionality to be distributed across multiple simple components rather than requiring a single complex connector, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If specialized connector geometries are used for tool customization, then adaptability of surgical instrument components is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized hollow body connector design can be manufactured using conventional machining or molding processes at low cost. The same connector geometry is reused across different accessory shafts and instrument bases, eliminating the need for expensive custom-matched connector pairs and simplifying the supply chain
Solution Approach 2:
The shaft connection element and receiving device use homogeneous geometric features (cylindrical hollow body with matching outer diameter) that can be produced with standard manufacturing tolerances. This homogeneity in connector design across all components allows for economies of scale and reduced manufacturing complexity compared to heterogeneous specialized geometries
3Ease of repair
If disassemblable components are used, then ease of cleaning and component replacement is improved, but risk of misuse or damage from improper combinations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft connection element features an asymmetric geometry where the outer diameter of the hollow body must precisely match the inner diameter of the receiving device. This asymmetric fit allows easy insertion of compatible components while preventing insertion of incompatible ones, providing passive mechanical protection against misuse without complicating the replacement process
Solution Approach 2:
The shape-coding dimensions provide self-checking functionality: the geometry itself communicates compatibility information and enforces correct assembly. Users do not need external guidance or complex verification systems; the physical dimensions automatically ensure that only appropriate components can be combined, reducing the risk of misuse while maintaining ease of replacement
Data Source
AI summary
A connection apparatus for a surgical instrument, having an instrument base, a receiving device arranged at a shaft opening of the instrument base. Further having a first shape-coding dimension and a second shape-coding dimension, and a shaft connection element which is configured to connect an accessory shaft to the instrument base. The shaft connection element is configured as a hollow body. The shaft connection element has a first shape-coding dimension and a second shape-coding dimension. The first and second shape-coding dimensions correspond to the first and second shape-coding dimensions of the receiving device when coupled to the instrument base in an assembled state, and the shaft connection element cannot be assembled with the instrument base if the first and/or second shape-coding dimensions of the shaft connection element and the receiving device do not correspond. The connection apparatus also relates to a surgical instrument with such a connection apparatus.