Surgical Instrument Irrigation Clip Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures using cutting instruments often require irrigation to cool or cleanse the surgical site, but existing instruments without built-in irrigation capabilities necessitate the surgeon to hold a separate irrigation hose, increasing procedure complexity and potentially leading to inconsistent cooling due to momentary hot-spots and temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable irrigation system that attaches to surgical instruments, featuring a flexible irrigation tube and clip with a locking mechanism to secure the tube in place, allowing for directed fluid flow and easy adjustment during procedures, enabling the surgeon to hold both the instrument and irrigation system with one hand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate irrigation hose is used with surgical instruments that lack built-in irrigation capability, then irrigation function is achieved, but procedure complexity increases and surgeon must hold two instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is merged with the surgical instrument by attaching the irrigation tube to the instrument shaft, allowing the surgeon to hold and control both cutting and irrigation functions with a single instrument rather than separately holding a surgical instrument and irrigation hose
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical instrument is enhanced to perform multiple functions - both cutting and irrigation - by integrating an irrigation tube attachment mechanism that allows the instrument to deliver irrigation fluid directly to the surgical site while maintaining its primary cutting capability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgeon holds the irrigation hose separately, then irrigation can be provided, but consistent cooling is difficult to maintain due to momentary hot-spots and temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the irrigation tube attachment with the surgical instrument, the system ensures that irrigation fluid is delivered consistently and reliably to the surgical site, eliminating the temperature fluctuations and hot-spots that occur when irrigation is provided separately
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation tube attachment acts as an intermediary component that bridges the surgical instrument and irrigation fluid delivery system, ensuring stable and consistent fluid flow to the surgical site through a dedicated attachment mechanism rather than separate manual control
3Device complexity
If fixed irrigation systems are used with incompatible instruments, then irrigation structure is simple, but irrigation effectiveness decreases when cutting tools need to be changed for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that allow the irrigation tube attachment to be modified during surgery to accommodate different cutting tools and applications, rather than being fixed in a single configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation attachment mechanism is designed to be universally compatible with different cutting tools and surgical instruments, allowing the same irrigation system to effectively support various cutting elements and surgical applications through its adaptable design
4Ease of operation
If the irrigation tube is not securely attached to the surgical instrument, then adjustment is easy, but the tube may rotate or displace axially during procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism provides dynamic positioning capability, allowing the irrigation tube to be easily adjusted and repositioned during surgery while maintaining secure attachment that prevents unwanted rotation or axial displacement when positioned correctly
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical fastening mechanisms with a simpler attachment design that provides adequate securing of the irrigation tube to the surgical instrument while maintaining ease of adjustment and repositioning capabilities
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 system provides consistent and controlled irrigation, reducing procedure complexity and minimizing temperature fluctuations, thereby enhancing surgical precision and safety by ensuring effective cooling of the surgical site.
Implementation Method 1
Irrigation fluids may be introduced to the surgical site to cool the tissue being treated
Implementation Method 2
Irrigation fluids may be introduced to the surgical site to cool the tissue being treated or to cleanse or wash tissue or debris from the surgical area
Data Source
AI summary
An irrigation system for a surgical instrument includes an irrigation tube arranged to convey an irrigation fluid and an irrigation clip structurally arranged to receive a portion of the irrigation tube. The irrigation clip includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a body portion, and an arm portion. The arm portion is structurally configured to selectively attach the irrigation clip to the surgical instrument and to bias the irrigation clip toward the surgical instrument with a biasing force. The irrigation clip includes a tube locking portion structurally arranged to cooperate with the surgical instrument to engage the outer surface portion of the irrigation tube to inhibit rotation and axial displacement of the irrigation tube relative to the irrigation clip in response to the biasing force.