Surgical Suction Tube With Integrated Clearing Rod
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical suction devices are often tethered to other equipment, lack self-containment, and do not provide adequate ergonomics or lighted visibility, making them cumbersome and inefficient for clearing debris from surgical sites.
Innovation Solution
A surgical suction device with an elongate unitary construction lumen body and a clearing apparatus, featuring a flexible rod body with a finger tab for tactile manipulation, allowing for self-clearing of obstructions and enhanced visibility during debris removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical suction devices are tethered to external equipment, then suction function is provided, but ergonomics deteriorate and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a self-contained battery-powered light source and an integrated clearing apparatus with a flexible rod that can be manually manipulated through the lumen to clear obstructions. This self-service capability eliminates the need for external tethers and equipment, improving ergonomics while maintaining suction function.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device integrates multiple functions into a single unit: suction capability, self-illumination via battery-powered light, and self-clearing capability via the flexible rod mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for external equipment and improves ease of operation.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional suction devices are used without integrated lighting, then device simplicity is maintained, but visibility during surgical procedures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function with the suction device by integrating a battery-powered light source into the handle. This merging of functions provides illumination during procedures while maintaining a compact, self-contained device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery-powered light source can be activated periodically or as needed during the surgical procedure, providing illumination when visibility is required without continuously increasing device complexity or energy consumption.
3Productivity
If suction devices lack self-contained clearing mechanisms, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to frequent obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The device includes a self-clearing mechanism where a flexible rod can be manually manipulated through the lumen to remove obstructions. This self-service capability allows the device to clear its own intake paths without external assistance, maintaining productivity while adding only minimal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clearing apparatus allows for the removal and disposal of accumulated debris and obstructions from the lumen, enabling the device to recover its optimal suction performance by discarding blocking materials and restoring clear flow paths.
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
The device enables surgeons to efficiently and ergonomically remove debris from surgical sites without the need for external tethers, while the integrated lighted manual clearing tip enhances visibility, improving overall surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The clearing apparatus has a flexible rod body with a finger tab configured to tactilely slide the rod body to and fro in the upper lumen to move a distal tip of the rod body through the confluence and the at least one suction port
Implementation Method 2
applying suction via the lower lumen to the suction tip to suction fluid from a surgical site in the surgical environment
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical suction device is provided having an elongate unitary construction lumen body and a clearing apparatus. The lumen body has a handle and a suction tip extending distally of the handle, an upper lumen and a lower lumen extending along the handle. The suction tip terminates near a distal end in a fluid confluence and at least one suction port. The clearing apparatus has a flexible rod body with a finger tab configured to tactilely slide the rod body to and fro in the upper lumen to move a distal tip of the rod body through the confluence and the at least one suction port. A method is also provided.