Surgical Instrument Electrical Contact for Loading Unit Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments lack an effective means to establish a reliable electrical connection with loading units, which are crucial for communicating information such as the type of end effector, length, diameter, and number of fasteners, especially when these units are used in various surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring an elongated portion with a movable electrical contact that engages with a loading unit's electronic component, allowing for electrical communication through a series of linear segments forming a flat-bottom V-shape, enabling the transfer of information stored on the loading unit to the instrument's processor or storage unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a surgical instrument is designed to engage with a loading unit that includes electronic components, then the instrument can receive and process information about the loading unit (such as end effector type, length, diameter, and number of fasteners), but the instrument lacks an effective means to establish a reliable electrical connection with the loading unit
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position to engage with the electrical contact on the loading unit. This dynamic contact can move toward and away from the longitudinal axis, ensuring reliable electrical connection even when there are slight misalignments or variations in loading unit engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical contact structure with its multiple linear segments acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the instrument's housing and the loading unit's electronic components. The flat-bottom V-shape configuration with five linear segments provides a reliable intermediate connection path for electrical signals and data.
2Reliability
If the electrical contact is made with multiple linear segments forming a flat-bottom V-shape, then the electrical connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contact is divided into five linear segments that form a flat-bottom V-shape configuration. This segmentation allows each segment to independently flex and adjust, improving the reliability of electrical connection while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured from sheet metal.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument including a housing, an elongated portion, and a loading unit is disclosed. The elongated portion extends distally from the housing, defines a longitudinal axis, and includes an electrical contact. The loading unit is configured to releasably engage the elongated portion. The loading unit includes an electronic component, a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component, and an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue. Engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.