Surgical Instrument Flushing System Proximal Drain Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive surgical (MIS) instrument flushing systems face challenges in effectively conveying and draining flushing fluid from the drive housing, leading to potential introduction of bioburden and debris into the proximal end of the instrument.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a proximal drain within the drive housing of the surgical tool, which is in fluid communication with the annulus between the flush tube and the shaft, to facilitate the circulation and discharge of flushing fluid entrained with debris and bioburden.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flushing fluid is circulated into the interior of the drive housing to flush cleanse and disinfect the internal component parts, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the debris and bioburden become lodged within the drive housing
Solution Approach 1:
The drive housing is segmented into different zones: a proximal drain for collecting and removing contaminated fluid, and distal apertures for fluid discharge. This segmentation allows the flushing fluid to circulate through internal components for cleaning while providing a dedicated pathway to remove debris and bioburden, preventing them from becoming lodged in the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal drain extracts and removes the contaminated flushing fluid, debris, and bioburden from the drive housing interior. By taking out the harmful elements through this dedicated drainage pathway, the system maintains effective cleaning while preventing contamination accumulation within the housing.
2Productivity
If the flushing fluid makes an abrupt 180° turn and flows back up the shaft within an annulus, then the turbulent flow flushes out debris, but the non-turbulent flow may not be sufficient to clean areas consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates dynamic flow patterns by combining the turbulent flow from the abrupt 180° turn with controlled circulation through the drive housing interior. The proximal drain maintains this dynamic circulation, ensuring consistent cleaning action across different areas while preserving the turbulent flow's debris removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The flushing fluid continues its useful cleaning action by circulating continuously through the drive housing interior components and then draining through the proximal drain. This continuous circulation ensures consistent cleaning across all areas while maintaining the turbulent flow's effectiveness in removing debris.
3Ease of operation
If the flushing fluid is discharged from the drive housing via various apertures, holes, and flush ports, then the fluid can drain out, but the debris and bioburden remain lodged within the drive housing
Solution Approach 1:
The proximal drain merges the drainage function with the debris removal function into a single integrated component. It collects and removes both the flushing fluid and the entrained debris and bioburden together, eliminating the problem of debris remaining in the housing while maintaining ease of fluid drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal drain acts as an intermediary element between the flushing fluid circulation system and the external environment. It mediates the removal of contaminated fluid and debris from the drive housing, enabling effective drainage while preventing debris accumulation within the housing.
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
The proximal drain effectively reduces or eliminates the introduction of bioburden and debris into the proximal end of the instrument, enhancing the cleaning and disinfection process of the surgical tool.
Implementation Method 1
The turbulent flow and pressure of the flushing fluid flushes out debris and bioburden that may be present within the shaft, near the wrist, and within the drive housing
Implementation Method 2
a proximal drain arranged within the drive housing and in fluid communication with an annulus defined between the flush tube and an inner wall of the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool includes a drive housing, a shaft extending distally from the drive housing, a distal seal arranged at a distal end of the shaft, and a flush tube extending from the drive housing within the shaft and terminating proximal to the distal seal. A flushing fluid conveyed distally through the flush tube is discharged from the flush tube and impinges upon the distal seal. A proximal drain is arranged within the drive housing and in fluid communication with an annulus defined between the flush tube and an inner wall of the shaft. The flushing fluid discharged from the flush tube circulates proximally within the annulus to the proximal drain to be discharged from the drive housing.