Surgical Irrigation Console with Disposable Pump Cassette
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical irrigation systems lack improvements in performance, convenience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, particularly in the design of the pump cassette and motorized console interface.
Innovation Solution
A surgical irrigation system featuring a reusable motorized console and a separable/attachable irrigation pump cassette with enhanced mechanical and electrical interconnects, including a pump priming structure, to improve usability and reduce cross-contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a modular design with separable pump cassette is used, then cross-contamination risk is reduced and convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple interconnection components
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is divided into separable modules: a reusable motorized console and a disposable pump cassette. This segmentation allows the cassette to be easily removed and replaced, preventing cross-contamination while keeping the complex motorized components reusable. The mechanical interface includes positioning features and locking mechanisms that enable reliable connection without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump cassette is designed as a disposable component that can be discarded after single use, eliminating the need for complex sterilization and cleaning procedures. This disposable approach reduces cross-contamination risk while the expensive motorized console remains reusable, optimizing the balance between reliability and device complexity.
2Weight of moving object
If frequent battery changes are required, then portability is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease due to operational interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses rechargeable batteries that can be recharged while stored in the console, transforming the static battery replacement problem into a dynamic recharging process. This allows continuous operation without interruption, as batteries can be recharged during non-use periods or even during operation if the design permits.
Solution Approach 2:
The console includes battery charging capability that allows batteries to be recharged in advance during storage or non-use periods. This preliminary charging action ensures that batteries are ready for immediate use, eliminating operational interruptions and maximizing productivity.
3Device complexity
If manual pump priming is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation worsens due to additional manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The pump cassette includes an automatic self-priming mechanism that eliminates the need for manual priming operations. When the cassette is installed and power is applied, the pump automatically primes itself by drawing irrigation fluid through the system, reducing operational complexity and improving ease of use without requiring additional manual steps.
4Ease of manufacture
If a reusable motorized console is used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential cross-contamination of reusable components
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates reusable components (motorized console) from disposable components (pump cassette), allowing the reusable parts to be manufactured once at lower cost while the disposable parts ensure no cross-contamination. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different lifecycle roles to different components.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable pump cassette acts as a barrier that prevents cross-contamination of the expensive reusable console. By discarding the cassette after single use, the system protects the reusable components from contamination, maintaining both cost-effectiveness and reliability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a surgical irrigation system having an improved reusable, motorized console and a separable/attachable irrigation pump cassette, including, at least in one embodiment improved mechanical and electrical inner-connection structure therebetween, and at least in one embodiment improved pump priming structure and methods.