Surgical Instrument Cleaning via Segmented Shaft and External Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cleaning procedures for surgical instruments in robotic surgical systems are inefficient and ineffective, failing to properly remove biomaterials and facilitate safe reuse.

Innovation Solution

The design of surgical instruments with an open architecture that allows cleaning fluid to pass through the external wall and access the interior, combined with a flushing manifold and locking mechanism to ensure fluid communication independent of shaft rotation, and the use of cleaning devices that distribute and route fluid efficiently to remove material without spraying on the user or wasting fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If surgical instruments have a closed architecture to maintain structural integrity, then instrument strength is improved, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates because cleaning fluid cannot access the interior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument strengthVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft wall is segmented by incorporating holes or apertures that divide the continuous wall structure, allowing cleaning fluid to pass through while maintaining overall structural integrity. This segmentation enables the wall to serve dual purposes: maintaining strength and allowing fluid penetration for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft wall has different local properties: certain regions contain holes or apertures for fluid passage while other regions maintain solid structure for strength. This local variation in quality allows different portions of the same component to fulfill different functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If surgical instruments are designed with complex internal mechanisms for rotation and actuation, then instrument functionality is improved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates because internal components block fluid access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument functionalityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is extracted from the interior of the shaft and relocated to a transmission housing positioned externally. This extraction removes the obstacle that blocked cleaning fluid access while preserving the rotational actuation functionality through the transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A transmission housing serves as an intermediary structure that houses the actuator externally while still enabling rotation of the shaft. This intermediary allows cleaning fluid to access the shaft interior without interfering with the actuation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If fluid ports are positioned to allow cleaning fluid access, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but fluid leakage increases when the shaft rotates to different orientations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid connection mechanism is made dynamic through a locking mechanism that adapts to different rotational positions of the shaft. The locking mechanism engages at specific orientations to maintain fluid communication while preventing leakage during rotation, allowing the system to function effectively across multiple positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If manual cleaning procedures are used to avoid complex cleaning systems, then device complexity is reduced, but cleaning productivity deteriorates due to inefficiency and inability to properly remove biomaterials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning system complexityVSAvoidcleaning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical instrument is designed to be self-cleaning through integrated fluid pathways and an open architecture that allows cleaning fluid to automatically reach all internal surfaces. The instrument's own structure facilitates its cleaning without requiring external complex cleaning devices or manual procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables effective cleaning of surgical instruments, allowing for safe reuse by efficiently removing biomaterials and reducing fluid waste, while maintaining instrument integrity and user safety.

Implementation Method 1

A manifold in the transmission housing comprises an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being in fluid communication with the port, the outlet being in fluid communication with the interior of the shaft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through manifold:

Data Source

PatentUS20240024069A1Surgical instruments and methods of cleaning surgical instruments

Publication Date: 2024.01.25 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A cleaning device for a surgical instrument can include a body; at least one passage extending through the body from a first open end of the body to a second open end of the body. The first and second open ends and the at least one passage can be dimensioned to receive and guide a shaft of a surgical instrument during a cleaning procedure. At least one aperture in flow communication with a port and the at least one passage can define a cleaning fluid path from the port to the passage.