Surgical Suction Clearing Device with Valve-Controlled Stylet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical-suction device unclogging apparatuses lack versatility and mobility, particularly in preventing fluid flow during medical operations, which restricts their effectiveness and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A valve-controlled apparatus with a compressible stylet and radially flexible arms that can switch between open and closed positions to control fluid flow, featuring a flexible material actuator and bristles for clearing suction device openings, allowing for hands-free operation and adaptability with various suction device sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a surgical-suction device unclogging apparatus is designed with a fixed structure, then it provides structural stability, but it lacks versatility and mobility in controlling fluid flow during medical operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a valve mechanism that can transition between open and closed positions, allowing the device to dynamically control fluid flow. The stylet with compressible section and radially flexible arms can adapt their configuration based on operational needs, enabling the device to handle various suction device sizes and shapes while maintaining structural integrity when not in use
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stylet is made rigid for structural strength, then it maintains structural integrity, but it cannot adapt to various suction device sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the mechanical properties of different stylet sections. The stylet includes a rigid straight section for structural support, a compressible section for adaptability, and a flexible end section for bending to match various suction device geometries. Each section has optimized local properties to fulfill its specific functional requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The stylet is constructed as a composite structure combining materials with different mechanical properties - rigid materials in the straight section for strength, and flexible/compressible materials in the end section for adaptability. This composite approach allows the single stylet to exhibit both structural integrity and versatility
3Ease of operation
If the arms are made rigid for stability, then they provide stable support, but they cannot radially flex to guide and hold surgical-suction devices
Solution Approach 1:
The arms incorporate radially flexible sections that allow the arms to dynamically adjust their configuration. When a surgical-suction device is placed, the arms can radially flex to guide and hold the device in position. When not in use, the arms return to a stable configured position, providing both operational flexibility and structural stability
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
Enhances versatility and mobility by allowing controlled fluid flow, facilitating efficient unclogging and storage of surgical-suction devices, reducing user constraints during medical procedures while preventing fluid spillage and noise.
Implementation Method 1
The compressible section (34) comprises flexible material having axial flexibility for compacting the compressible section (34) a first axial distance (Y)
Implementation Method 2
A valve (60) has an open position for allowing fluid to flow through the hole (26) of the base (22) and the aperture (40) in the stylet (28). The valve (60) also has a closed position for preventing fluid to flow through the hole (26) of the base (22) and the aperture (40) in the stylet (28)
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of arms (44, 46, 48) extends perpendicularly from the peripheral edge (24) of the base (22) about the axis (A) to arm ends (42)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for unclogging a surgical-suction device (21) comprising a base (22) that defines at least one hole (26). A stylet (28) extends perpendicularly from the center of the base (22) along an axis (A) for receiving the surgical-suction device (21). The stylet (28) defines an exterior and an internal chamber (32) that communicates with the hole (26) in the base (22). The stylet (28) defines at least one aperture (40) in fluid communication between the chamber (32) and the exterior of the stylet (28) for communicating with the surgical-suction device (21). A valve (60) having an open position (FIG. 1) for allowing fluid to flow through the hole (26) of the base (22) and the aperture (40) in the stylet (28) and a closed position (FIG. 2) for preventing fluid to flow through the hole (26) of the base (22) and the aperture (40) in the stylet (28).