Surgical Adapter Assembly With Curved Contacts for Rotational Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapter assemblies for electromechanical surgical devices face challenges in ensuring reliable and repeated mechanical and electrical connections due to their complexity, which can lead to inconsistent performance and increased risk of misalignment during operation.
Innovation Solution
The adapter assembly incorporates a housing with a proximal and distal electrical assembly, featuring curved electrical contacts and a guide system to maintain proper alignment and contact with the slip ring, ensuring consistent electrical communication and mechanical force transmission between the surgical device and loading unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter assembly uses a complex structure to ensure mechanical and electrical connections, then the connection capability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of misalignment and inconsistent performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide structure as an intermediary component between the adapter assembly and the rotatable drive shaft. This guide structure includes a guide slot and a guide member that works with a cam mechanism to ensure proper alignment and maintain consistent electrical contact during rotation, thereby resolving the reliability issue caused by the complex connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved electrical contacts instead of straight contacts. The curved shape of the electrical contacts allows them to maintain continuous contact with the rotating drive shaft throughout its rotational cycle, ensuring consistent electrical connection without requiring complex alignment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter assembly uses a complex structure to establish mechanical and electrical connections, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guide structure and the electrical contact system into an integrated assembly. The guide slot and guide member are formed as part of the adapter housing, and the curved electrical contacts are built into the guide structure, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Reliability
If the adapter assembly uses curved electrical contacts with a guide system, then the reliability of electrical connection is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure with its guide slot and cam mechanism provides self-aligning functionality. During assembly and operation, the guide structure automatically positions the curved electrical contacts in the correct alignment with the rotating drive shaft, eliminating the need for high-precision manual alignment and reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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
This design enhances the reliability and durability of connections, reducing misalignment issues and maintaining uninterrupted electrical contact during rotation, thereby improving the operational consistency and longevity of the surgical system.
Implementation Method 1
Each electrical contact is configured to contact and maintain an electrical connection with one of the plurality of electrical contact rings of the proximal electrical assembly during rotation of the distal electrical assembly with respect to the proximal electrical assembly
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to adapter assemblies for use with and to electrically and mechanically interconnect electromechanical surgical devices and surgical loading units, and to surgical systems including hand held electromechanical surgical devices and adapter assemblies for connecting surgical loading units to the hand held electromechanical surgical devices.