Handheld Surgical Instrument Shape-Memory Cleaning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld surgical instruments, such as endoscopes and resectoscopes, face challenges in thorough and efficient cleaning and sterilization due to complex assemblies with static components that are difficult to position for effective cleaning.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a structural element made from a shape-memory material that changes geometry with temperature, allowing components to move into a preferred position for enhanced cleaning access and returning to their original alignment after cooling, eliminating the need for manual reassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are assembled with static connections for structural stability, then the instrument maintains reliable assembly, but cleaning access to internal cavities becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic connection mechanism where the connection between components can change state between a closed/secure state during operation and an open/access state during cleaning. This allows the instrument to transition between maintaining assembly reliability and providing cleaning access, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes temperature-dependent parameter changes in shape-memory materials to control the connection state. When exposed to cleaning temperatures, the material changes its physical properties to open the connection for cleaning access. After cooling, it returns to its original state to secure the assembly, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter changes.
2Ease of operation
If components are disassembled for thorough cleaning, then cleaning access is improved, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic connection mechanism allows components to automatically open to a cleaning-accessible state without manual disassembly. The connection transitions from a closed state during operation to an open state during cleaning, providing thorough cleaning access while eliminating the need for time-consuming manual disassembly and reassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape-memory material automatically performs the connection state transition based on temperature changes, without requiring operator intervention. The system serves itself by using the cleaning temperature to automatically open the connection for access, and then automatically closes it after cooling, eliminating manual disassembly effort.
3Stability of the object's composition
If components remain in fixed position for structural stability, then assembly integrity is maintained, but cleaning thoroughness is reduced due to inaccessible surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic connection that can switch between a closed state maintaining assembly integrity during operation and an open state providing thorough cleaning access. The connection structure allows components to move between these states, resolving the contradiction between stability and cleaning accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shape-memory material changes its physical parameters in response to temperature changes. At operating temperatures, it maintains the closed state for assembly integrity. At cleaning temperatures, it changes parameters to open the connection, allowing thorough cleaning of previously inaccessible surfaces, thus resolving the contradiction through parameter changes.
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
Facilitates simple, thorough, and time-efficient cleaning and sterilization by improving access to internal cavities and surfaces, ensuring complete disinfection without additional operator effort.
Implementation Method 1
a structural element made from a shape-memory material is arranged between these two components. This structural element made from a shape-memory material enables a temperature-dependent relative arrangement of the two components
Data Source
AI summary
A handheld surgical instrument that can be cleaned in a particularly simple, thorough and time-efficient manner. This is achieved by the fact that the instrument has at least one first component and at least one second component. The first component can be, for example, a cap, a cover or the like. The second component can be designed as a connection, connection body, optical guide plate or the like. The two components are movable relative to each other and can be coupled to each other by screwing or the like. A structural element made from a shape-memory material is arranged between these two components. This shape-memory material makes it possible to achieve a temperature-dependent relative arrangement of the two components.