Sliding Lock Device for Cystoscope Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices require secure and easy-to-use connectors for accessories like cystoscopes to ensure effective and efficient treatment while maintaining sterile conditions, particularly in procedures like prostate ablation therapy, where existing solutions often complicate the attachment process.
Innovation Solution
A sliding lock system that securely attaches a cystoscope to a hand-held device, allowing for one-handed operation, prohibiting rotation, and enabling defined axial movement, which is easy to manufacture and assemble from injection moldable plastics, accommodating various cystoscope designs and facilitating quick attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector is designed to securely lock an accessory like a cystoscope, then reliability of attachment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional components: a collar that receives the accessory, a cover that provides the locking action, and integrated locking structures (tabs and slots) that are distributed throughout the design. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar is designed to receive and surround the accessory (cystoscope), creating a nested structure where the accessory is inserted into the collar's longitudinal bore. The cover then slides over the collar flange, creating another nested layer. This nesting approach provides secure attachment while maintaining a compact and relatively simple overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If a locking mechanism allows for axial movement to facilitate procedure, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that allows controlled axial movement. The collar can slide within the opening along the longitudinal axis, and the cover can slide relative to the collar flange. This dynamic design enables the necessary axial movement for the procedure while the tab-and-slot geometry maintains manufacturing precision by defining specific engagement points and movement limits.
3Reliability
If a connector prevents rotation of the accessory, then reliability of attachment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses asymmetric tab-and-slot geometry where the tabs on the collar have specific shapes that correspond to complementary slots in the cover. This asymmetric design naturally prevents rotation because the tabs can only engage with the slots in a specific orientation. The side walls forming channels provide asymmetric constraints that guide and limit movement to the intended axial direction only.
4Productivity
If a simple locking mechanism is used to decrease treatment time, then productivity is improved, but reliability of attachment may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is pre-formed with integrated tabs and slots that are ready to engage with the accessory and cover. The longitudinal bore and collar flange are pre-positioned to guide the accessory into the correct orientation before the locking action occurs. This preliminary preparation of the locking structures allows for rapid attachment while maintaining reliability, as the geometric constraints are already in place to ensure proper engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that is used to lock an accessory, for example a cystoscope that is locked to a hand held device that provides prostate ablation therapy, within a housing includes a sliding lock device (SLD) which receives and surrounds at least a portion of the cystoscope in an opening. Once the cystoscope is positioned within the SLD, the user may slide a cover to engage a tab of the cystoscope and secure the cystoscope within the SLD and the housing. The SLD also includes a mechanism for prohibiting cystoscope rotation. After the cystoscope is locked, the SLD allows for a defined amount of axial movement to facilitate prostate viewing and the deployment of prostate ablation therapy. Alternatively, the cover may slide in a rotational manner to secure the cystoscope.