Shielded Obturator with Rotational Switch Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing obturators with spring-loaded tubular safety shields require significant force to penetrate the body wall and may cause additional cutting complications due to the large mass and time needed for the shield to cover the tip, leading to larger incisions and potential complications.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable switch mechanism on the obturator handle that obstructs and then frees a movable portion of the shaft to expose the blade, allowing controlled retraction and protection of the blade after penetration, utilizing a compression spring and lever system to manage the blade's exposure and concealment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spring-loaded tubular safety shield is used to cover the obturator tip, then the blade is protected after penetration, but the shield has relatively large mass requiring considerable time to move and larger incisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade protectionVSAvoidshield mass

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft is divided into a fixed portion and a movable portion that can retract independently. The movable portion houses the blade and can be quickly retracted into the fixed portion, providing blade protection without requiring a heavy external shield. This segmentation allows the blade to be protected by its own shaft structure rather than an additional protective component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a shield that moves forward to cover the blade (external protection), the invention uses a blade that retracts into the shaft (internal protection). The movable portion of the shaft retracts to expose or cover the blade, inverting the traditional approach where a separate shield covers the blade.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a spring-loaded tubular safety shield is used, then the blade is covered after penetration, but considerable time is required to move the shield

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade protectionVSAvoidshield movement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The switch mechanism is designed to be manually actuated, allowing the operator to quickly retract the movable portion of the shaft and cover the blade whenever needed. This dynamic control system responds immediately to operator input, eliminating the time delays associated with spring-loaded shields that require building and releasing mechanical energy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the spring-loaded mechanical system with a manually operated switch mechanism. Instead of relying on spring energy storage and release, the operator directly controls the retraction of the movable portion through the switch, providing immediate and precise control over blade exposure without mechanical energy delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a spring-loaded tubular safety shield is used, then the blade is protected, but larger incisions are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblade protectionVSAvoidincision size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The movable portion containing the blade is nested within the fixed portion of the shaft. When the movable portion retracts, the blade is contained within the confines of the fixed shaft, which has a limited external diameter. This nesting arrangement protects the blade while maintaining a compact overall size, allowing penetration through smaller incisions compared to external shields that increase the required incision size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of operation

If the obturator tip penetrates the body wall, then access is gained, but the tip is suddenly free to cause additional cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepenetration capabilityVSAvoidadditional cutting

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The movable portion of the shaft is retracted into the fixed portion before the obturator is inserted into the body. This preliminary action ensures the blade is covered during insertion, and the operator can immediately cover the blade after penetration by actuating the switch, preventing unintended cutting. The system is prepared in advance to prevent harmful effects rather than relying on post-penetration shield deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution reduces the force required for penetration, minimizes additional cutting once the body wall is penetrated, and ensures quicker and more controlled protection of the blade, potentially reducing incision size and complications.

Implementation Method 1

utilizing a compression spring and lever system to manage the blade's exposure and concealment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a compression spring and lever system to manage the blade's exposure and concealment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentEP2012647B1Flat blade shielded obturator

Publication Date: 2016.12.14 APPL MEDICAL RESOURCES CORP

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AI summary

A shielded bladed obturator is provided with a shield lockout that prevents retraction of a shield to expose a blade for cutting The shield lockout in one aspect has a rotational switch interacting with a longitudinal extending shield to lock and unlock the shield A blade exposure and coverage system is also provided.