Removable Surgical Cable Couplings for Sterilization and Reuse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments and systems face challenges in efficiently managing and sterilizing the complex interconnections of power, data, and fluid lines during surgical procedures, which can lead to entanglement and increased procedural time.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a modular surgical hub that integrates a generator module, smoke evacuation module, and suction/irrigation module, along with a cable assembly featuring removable adapters and a strain relief mechanism, to reduce entanglement and facilitate easier sterilization and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical instruments use fixed interconnections of power, data, and fluid lines, then electrical connection is maintained, but line entanglement increases and sterilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is divided into separate modular components including a cable, adapter, and instrument adapter that can be disconnected from each other. This segmentation allows each component to be independently sterilized and managed, eliminating the entanglement issues associated with fixed interconnections while maintaining reliable electrical connection when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic removable connection. The adapter and instrument adapter can be selectively coupled and decoupled, allowing the electrical connection to be established when needed and separated during sterilization or instrument changes, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining connection and enabling sterilization.
2Device complexity
If surgical instruments use non-removable cable connections, then assembly is simplified, but sterilization frequency and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is segmented into removable components (cable, adapter, instrument adapter) that can be independently processed. This allows the adapter to remain attached to the instrument during sterilization while the cable can be separately managed, reducing the time and frequency of complete assembly sterilization and thereby reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is pre-attached to the instrument before the surgical procedure, establishing the electrical connection in advance. This preliminary action allows the cable to be connected or disconnected without requiring sterilization of the entire assembly during the procedure, thus reducing procedural time and sterilization frequency.
3Ease of manufacture
If surgical instruments use integrated cable systems, then manufacturing is simplified, but component reuse and cost efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cable assembly is segmented into replaceable components including the cable, adapter, and instrument adapter. This segmentation enables selective reuse of durable components like the adapter and instrument adapter while allowing replacement of wear-prone components like the cable, thus improving component reuse and cost efficiency without significantly complicating manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows for discarding or replacing only the necessary components (such as the cable or adapter) while recovering and reusing other components (such as the instrument adapter). This selective discarding and recovering approach improves cost efficiency and reduces waste compared to disposing of entire integrated assemblies.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device and method of processing includes a cable and a first adapter. The adapter includes a body, an electrical contact connected to the cable, and an engagement assembly. The engagement assembly includes a latch coupling or a communication coupling. The latch coupling is movable between a locked and an unlocked position and includes a catch member. The communication coupling is configured to be resiliently biased into engagement between the electrical contact and an instrument or generator.