Surgical Device Cleaning via Sealed Compartment Suction and Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical devices are not well-equipped for reuse and interchangeability of end effectors, and existing devices struggle with effective cleaning methods, leading to increased costs and waste due to the need for new devices per patient and limited cleaning capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device that allows for the application of both suction and irrigation forces at the distal end, using a system of sealed compartments and shafts to facilitate cleaning and interchangeability of end effectors, enabling the device to be reused with various types of end effectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new device is used for each patient or procedure, then patient safety and sterility are improved, but cost and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables recovery and reuse of the main surgical instrument body through effective cleaning and sterilization capabilities. The cleaning system with sealed compartments, suction, and irrigation allows the device to be properly decontaminated between uses, enabling it to be recovered and reused rather than discarded after single use.
2Reliability
If a device is designed for single use, then sterility and patient protection are improved, but cost and environmental waste worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to be discarded after single use to ensure sterility and patient protection, but the cleaning system enables recovery and reuse. The sealed compartments and cleaning mechanisms allow the device to be properly decontaminated, transforming it from a single-use design to a reusable one, thereby reducing cost and environmental waste.
3Ease of manufacture
If the device structure is simplified for single use, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but cleaning capability and reuse potential are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates multiple functions including cleaning, suction, and irrigation capabilities within a single integrated system. The sealed compartments and multiple channels allow the device to perform both surgical functions and self-cleaning functions, making it versatile and suitable for reuse while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.
4Productivity
If the device is designed with cleaning capabilities, then reuse and cost-effectiveness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into sealed compartments that can be independently cleaned and sterilized. The cleaning system is segmented into separate channels for suction and irrigation, allowing for systematic cleaning procedures that manage complexity while enabling effective reuse and improving cost-effectiveness.
5Reliability
If suction and irrigation are applied through separate channels, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and fluid management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suction and irrigation channels are merged into a single integrated cleaning system with sealed compartments. This integration allows both functions to work together efficiently for comprehensive cleaning while managing fluid flow through unified control mechanisms, reducing the complexity that would arise from completely separate systems.
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 efficient cleaning and reuse of surgical devices, reducing waste and costs by allowing multiple end effectors to be used with a single device, and providing effective fluid and tissue management during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
When using suction, a suction or vacuum force can be supplied at the port to draw fluid and tissue from the distal chamber, through the shaft, to the port, and out of the device
Implementation Method 2
When using irrigation, a fluid can be supplied from the port, through the shaft, and to the distal chamber to drive fluid and/or tissue out of blow-out ports formed in the distal chamber
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for cleaning a surgical device, and or end effectors associated with the device, are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, a surgical device includes a housing, a plurality of shafts extending distally from the housing, a port disposed at a proximal end of the shafts to form a proximal compartment and an end effector receiver disposed at a distal end of the shafts to form a distal compartment. A fluid and/or a vacuum source can be supplied at the port, through the proximal compartment and shafts, and to the distal compartment. The supplied fluid or vacuum source can be effective to remove fluid and/or tissue from the distal compartment. A plurality of seals can be provided on an outer-most shaft in the compartments to seal fluid from the compartments from entering a housing and/or an outside environment. Other devices and exemplary methods are also provided.