Surgical Light Adapter with Protective Sheath

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optical fibers used for analyzing light phenomena during HF surgery can become dirty or shaded, leading to reduced or blocked light transmission, which can falsify light signal intensity and affect analysis results.

Innovation Solution

A device that allows for easy attachment and replacement of a light absorption device, such as an optical fiber, to a surgical instrument, ensuring that the light absorption unit can record light generated during the procedure without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If optical fiber is used for light analysis during HF surgery, then light transmission can be recorded and analyzed, but the optical fiber becomes contaminated by blood, tissue fluid, smoke gas, and tissue particles, reducing or blocking light transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmission reliabilityVSAvoidoptical fiber contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective sheath is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical fiber and the surgical environment. The sheath allows light to pass through to the optical fiber while preventing direct contact between the fiber and contaminants such as blood, tissue fluid, smoke gas, and tissue particles, thus maintaining light transmission reliability without compromising the light analysis function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sheath is pre-installed on the optical fiber before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary protective measure prevents contamination from occurring in the first place, countering the harmful effect of contamination before it can affect light transmission. The sheath acts as a pre-established barrier against blood, tissue fluid, smoke gas, and tissue particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Power

If high energy input (300 watts) is used during HF surgery, then effective surgical cutting and coagulation is achieved, but very high temperatures (greater than 300°C) develop at the electrode tip, potentially thermally damaging the optical fiber

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical powerVSAvoidelectrode tip temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The protective sheath serves as a thermal intermediary between the high-temperature electrode tip and the optical fiber. It allows the electrode to operate at high power (300 watts) and temperatures (greater than 300°C) for effective surgical cutting and coagulation, while the sheath prevents direct thermal contact that would otherwise damage the optical fiber, thus protecting the fiber from thermal damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sheath is pre-installed on the optical fiber before the high-power surgical procedure begins. This preliminary protective measure cushions the optical fiber against the thermal effects of high-power operation (300 watts) and high temperatures (greater than 300°C) at the electrode tip, preventing thermal damage before it can occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If detachable attachment is used for the light recording device, then the device can be easily replaced and cleaned during operation, but the connection mechanism adds complexity to the device structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice replacement easeVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A connection element is introduced as an intermediary component that facilitates detachable attachment between the light recording device and the surgical instrument. This connection element enables easy replacement and cleaning of the device during operation while keeping the overall connection mechanism simple and straightforward, thus achieving ease of operation without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light recording device is segmented into separable components that can be detached and reattached during surgery. This segmentation allows the device to be easily replaced and cleaned without requiring complex disassembly procedures, achieving ease of operation while maintaining relatively simple device structure through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 device ensures reliable light analysis by maintaining clear light transmission and preventing pollution of the optical fiber, thereby providing accurate data on biological tissue during surgical procedures.

Implementation Method 1

optical fibers are used as a light recording device... The received light can be forwarded by means of the light-receiving device for light analysis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3984482B1Device for fixing a light holding device to a surgical instrument
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 ERBE ELEKTROMEDIZIN GMBH
  • EP3984482B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3984482B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3984482B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b

AI summary

A device (10) according to the invention serves to attach a light-receiving device (24) for light analysis to an instrument (11) or an instrument component (12) during an operation by the surgeon using a surgical instrument (11) or their assistant. The device (10) is preferably configured to detachably fix the light-receiving device (24) to the instrument (11) or the instrument component (12). In particular, the device (10) can comprise a light-receiving device (24) and an electrode (15) fixed relative to it. The electrode (15) can alternatively also be part of the instrument (11). The device (10) can be detachably attached to the instrument (11) or the instrument component (12) and can form an adapter for attaching a light-receiving device (24) to the instrument (11) or the instrument component (12), or it can also be designed as a component of the instrument (10).