Suction Cleaning Apparatus With Stylet For Clogged Lumen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical suction tools often become clogged during procedures, leading to time-consuming and costly interruptions as surgical assistants must manually clear obstructions, which can be dangerous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A suction cleaning apparatus with a cylindrical barrel and insertion cone, featuring a stylet or flexible shaft for mechanical obstruction clearance, and optional spring mechanisms or vents for cleaning fluid or air to assist in unclogging, allowing for quick and efficient restoration of suction function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual clearing of suction tool obstructions is performed by surgical assistants, then the suction tool can be cleared of blockages, but surgical time is lost and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tool is equipped with a self-cleaning capability through an integrated stylet mechanism. When the suction tool becomes clogged, the operator can manually activate the stylet to clear the obstruction without requiring another person to intervene, thus maintaining suction function while minimizing surgical time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The suction tool includes a movable stylet that can be dynamically deployed and retracted. The stylet is initially stored within the suction tool and can be pushed forward to clear obstructions, then retracted back into the tool, providing a dynamic self-cleaning solution that responds to clogging conditions
2Force
If a rigid stylet is used to clear obstructions, then mechanical clearing force is sufficient, but the stylet cannot reach obstructions in curved suction lumens
Solution Approach 1:
The stylet is constructed from flexible material that allows it to bend and conform to curved suction lumens while maintaining its structural integrity and clearing capability. This flexibility enables the stylet to reach obstructions located in curved portions of the suction tool that rigid stylets could not access
3Reliability
If cleaning fluid is introduced through the suction tool, then obstructions can be softened and cleared, but the suction tool becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tool is designed with multi-functionality by integrating both suction and cleaning fluid delivery capabilities through a single lumen structure. The same lumen that performs suction can also deliver cleaning fluid to soften and clear obstructions, eliminating the need for separate cleaning channels and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes fluid dynamics by introducing cleaning fluid through the suction lumen to soften obstructions. The fluid flow mechanism leverages hydraulic principles to deliver cleaning solution to the obstruction site, where it softens the blockage to facilitate easier mechanical removal by the stylet
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
Enables rapid and effective clearing of obstructions in suction tools, minimizing surgical delays and reducing costs by allowing surgeons to maintain continuous suction without manual intervention, thus ensuring safer and more efficient surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
the distal end of the suction cleaning horn may include one or more holes or vents to permit cleaning liquid or air to be drawn into the bore of the cleaning horn and into the lumen of the suction tool
Implementation Method 2
permit cleaning liquid or air to be drawn into the bore of the cleaning horn and into the lumen of the suction tool to help clear obstructions in the suction tool
Data Source
AI summary
A suction cleaning apparatus or suction cleaning horn is a generally cylindrical barrel or sleeve with an insertion cone to control and direct the distal tip of a suction tool into the bore of the barrel. A stylet is secured within the suction cleaning barrel and aligned on the longitudinal axis of the bore such that insertion of the suction tool into the cleaning barrel inserts the stylet into the channel of the suction tool to mechanically clear any obstructions of the suction tool. The distal end of the suction cleaning horn may also include one or more holes or vents to permit cleaning liquid to be drawn into the bore of the cleaning horn and into the suction tool channel to help clear obstructions in the suction tool.