Surgical Instrument Cleaning Assembly Linear Fluid Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing surgical instruments often have cleaning ports that are not optimally positioned, resulting in an L-shaped fluid path which reduces the efficiency of cleaning due to the seal for insufflation gas being at the proximal end, making it difficult to clean the instrument effectively.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a cleaning assembly that includes a linear fluid path coaxial with the shaft's longitudinal axis, featuring a flush port, luer fitting, gasket, and plug, allowing for efficient cleaning by directing a cleaning solution linearly through the instrument, bypassing internal components and maintaining insufflation gas containment when engaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal is positioned at the proximal end of the instrument coaxial with the longitudinal axis, then insufflation gas containment is effective, but cleaning efficiency is reduced due to L-shaped fluid path
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning assembly is segmented into separate functional components: a flush tube for delivering cleaning solution, a gasket for sealing, and a plug for occlusion. This segmentation allows the cleaning solution to be delivered through a separate pathway that does not interfere with the seal's position, enabling both effective gas containment and efficient cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The flush tube acts as an intermediary element that delivers cleaning solution from the proximal end to the distal end of the instrument shaft. This intermediary pathway allows cleaning solution to reach the seal area without requiring the seal itself to be repositioned, thus maintaining gas containment while improving cleaning efficiency.
2Reliability
If the seal is positioned at the proximal end to prevent gas leakage, then gas containment is maintained, but cleaning solution flow is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning assembly segments the cleaning solution delivery pathway from the seal mechanism. The flush tube provides a dedicated channel for cleaning solution flow that runs parallel to but separate from the seal's position, allowing both functions to operate simultaneously without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution delivery function is extracted from the seal assembly and placed into a separate flush tube system. This extraction allows the cleaning solution to flow independently of the seal's proximal position, eliminating the obstruction problem while maintaining gas containment.
3Reliability
If cleaning ports are positioned to work with the proximal seal location, then seal function is preserved, but the fluid path becomes L-shaped and cleaning effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning cleaning ports at the proximal end to work with the seal location, the design inverts the approach by using a flush tube that extends from the proximal end through the entire shaft length. This inversion allows cleaning solution to be delivered distally along the longitudinal axis, creating a linear rather than L-shaped path.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning solution delivery is transitioned from a two-dimensional L-shaped path to a three-dimensional linear path along the longitudinal axis of the shaft. By utilizing the longitudinal dimension, the cleaning solution can flow directly through the shaft without bending around the proximal seal location.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A surgical instrument includes a housing, a shaft, an end effector, and a cleaning assembly. The housing includes a proximal face. The shaft extends distally from the housing and defines a channel. The end effector is disposed adjacent a distal end of the shaft and is configured to manipulate tissue. The cleaning assembly is disposed at least partially within the housing and defines a fluid path extending between the proximal face of the housing and the channel of the shaft.