Surgical Instrument Amorphous Titanium Oxide Coating Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical instruments face durability challenges when used under more severe conditions, with existing designs failing to maintain effectiveness beyond a certain number of uses.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument featuring an end effector with a surface coated in amorphous titanium oxide and a film resin that chemically bonds to the surface, enhancing durability and preventing tissue sticking through improved adhesive strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coating materials are used on the surgical instrument surface, then the instrument can perform basic surgical functions, but the durability decreases when used under severe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a composite coating structure consisting of an amorphous oxide film layer (formed by anodization) and a resin coating layer (fluororesin) on the end effector surface. This composite structure combines the adhesion benefits of the oxide film with the non-sticking properties of the fluororesin, achieving both durability and prevention of tissue sticking under severe surgical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the end effector by forming an amorphous oxide film through anodization, which creates a surface with specific roughness and chemical properties. This parameter change enhances the bonding strength of the subsequent resin coating and improves the overall durability and non-sticking characteristics of the surgical instrument.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the surgical instrument is designed for basic use conditions, then manufacturing is simpler, but it fails to maintain effectiveness beyond the assumed number of uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary protective action by forming the amorphous oxide film through anodization before applying the resin coating. This preliminary step creates a durable base layer that enhances the longevity of the entire coating system, allowing the surgical instrument to maintain effectiveness beyond the assumed number of uses while managing complexity through a systematic multi-step process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a lubricating coating is applied to prevent tissue sticking, then tissue sticking is reduced, but the coating durability under severe conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple lubricating coatings with a composite structure of amorphous oxide film and fluororesin coating. The oxide film provides strong adhesion and durability, while the fluororesin layer provides non-sticking properties. This composite approach simultaneously achieves both tissue sticking prevention and enhanced coating durability under severe surgical conditions.
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 surgical instrument demonstrates a 50% increase in durability by preventing tissue sticking and maintaining effectiveness for 1,500 coagulations and incisions compared to conventional designs, which fail after 1,000.
Implementation Method 1
a film resin (47) covering the entire end effector (34) and chemically bonding to the surface
Implementation Method 2
the resin (47) has a property of bonding to hydroxyl groups present on the surface
Implementation Method 3
an oscillator unit (16) that supplies ultrasonic vibrations for making a probe (15) resonate
Implementation Method 4
a surface made of amorphous oxide; wherein a film resin covering the surface is chemically bonding to the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes an end effector with a surface made of amorphous titanium oxide, and a film resin covering the surface and chemically bonding to the surface.