Surgical Instrument Coupling Element for Safe Disassembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments are not efficiently designed for disassembly and cleaning, leading to potential infection risks and difficulties in reassembly, which compromises patient safety and instrument reliability.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a pivotably mounted coupling element and a sliding bearing unit that allows for easy disassembly and reassembly, featuring a locking mechanism for secure operation and safe detachment of tool elements along a displacement axis, facilitating quick and effective cleaning and reducing infection risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical instruments are designed as integrated units for structural stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of disassembly for cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into separable components including a first tool element, a second tool element, and a coupling element. The coupling element can be displaced between a first position (connecting the tool elements) and a second position (releasing the connection), enabling the instrument to be disassembled into separate parts for cleaning while maintaining structural integrity during operation.
2Reliability
If surgical instruments are designed with fixed connections for operational stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair and cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element is designed with dynamic displacement capability along a displacement axis, allowing it to transition between a first position (providing stable connection during operation) and a second position (enabling easy separation for cleaning and repair). This dynamic design maintains operational stability while facilitating maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If surgical instruments use simple connections for ease of assembly, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential detachment
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling element serves as an intermediary component between the first and second tool elements. It provides a controlled connection mechanism that is easy to assemble and disassemble while maintaining reliable force transmission during operation. The coupling element's designed displacement path ensures proper engagement and disengagement without compromising connection reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical instrument (10a; 10b; 10c) with at least one tool unit (20a; 20b; 20c) comprising a first tool element (22a; 22b; 22c), at least one second tool element (24a; 24b; 24c) and at least one coupling element (26a; 26b; 26c) connected to the second tool element (24a; 24b; 24c), which together are slidably mounted relative to the first tool element (22a; 22b; 22c) along at least one displacement axis (28a; 28b; 28c), and with an actuating unit (60a; 60b; 60c) comprising at least one actuating element (72a; 72b; 72c) which is in at least a first position of the coupling element (26a; 26b; 26c) is coupled relative to the second tool element (24a; 24b; 24c) with the coupling element (26a; 26b; 26c).It is proposed that the coupling element (26a; 26b; 26c) be moved from the first position to at least a second position relative to the second tool element (24a; 24b; 24c) to release the actuating element (72a; 72b; 72c).