Surgical Access Clip With Living Hinge For Device Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
In minimally invasive surgical procedures, there is a need for a secure and efficient method to protect and organize surgical access devices, such as cannulas and obturators, to prevent damage and ensure easy access during and after use.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access system featuring a clip with pivotable housing halves that securely retain a cannula, obturator, and syringe together in a closed position, utilizing a cushion for protection and a living hinge for easy opening and closing, ensuring components remain connected during handling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical access devices are packaged separately without a securing mechanism, then packaging is simple, but the devices may become damaged or disconnected during handling and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple surgical access devices (cannula, obturator, syringe) into a single integrated packaging unit using a clip structure. The clip's first and second housing halves enclose all devices together, securing them as one assembly during handling and storage, thereby preventing damage and disconnection while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the cannula, obturator, and syringe inside the clip's housing cavity. The devices are nested within the protective housing structure, with the clip's first and second housing halves forming an outer shell that contains all components, providing secure packaging without excessive complexity.
2Reliability
If a secure retention mechanism is used to hold multiple devices together, then device protection is improved, but the opening and closing operation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic retention mechanism where the clip's first and second housing halves can pivot relative to each other between open and closed positions. The living hinge enables this dynamic movement, allowing easy opening for device insertion and secure closing for retention, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable device protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The living hinge mechanism provides self-service functionality by automatically enabling the clip to open and close without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. The hinge's inherent flexibility allows the housing halves to pivot smoothly, making the retention system easy to operate while maintaining secure device retention when closed.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid housing structure is used to protect devices, then device protection is improved, but the ability to absorb impact and prevent damage worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cushion positioned between the surgical access devices and the inner surfaces of the clip's housing halves. This cushion provides beforehand protection by absorbing impact forces during handling and transport, preventing damage to the devices while the rigid housing structure provides overall protection against harmful factors.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access system includes a clip, a cannula, and an obturator. The clip includes a first housing half and a second housing half. The first and second housing halves have first end portions pivotably coupled together and second end portions having respective first and second fastener portions. The clip is movable between an open position in which the second end portions are spaced apart from each other and a closed position in which the first and second fastener portions of the second end portions are engaged with each other. The cannula and the obturator are retained between the first and second housing halves when the clip is in the closed position.