Hermetic Load Sensor Gimbal for Surgical Device Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices with load sensing technology face challenges in withstanding multiple sterilization cycles and maintaining signal fidelity due to exposure of electronic components to harsh disinfecting and autoclaving environments, leading to signal degradation and accuracy issues.
Innovation Solution
A hermetically sealed load sensing assembly with a gimbal to isolate the load sensing device from off-axis loads and a programmable signal processing circuit within the same housing to optimize sensor signals, reducing exposure to harsh environments and allowing for adjustments to zero balance values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If load sensing devices are disposed in the sterile environment of the operating room to enable force awareness feedback, then measurement precision is improved, but the electronic components are exposed to harsh disinfecting and autoclaving environments causing signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into sterile and non-sterile zones. The load sensing device is hermetically sealed to create a barrier, allowing the sensor to be positioned in the sterile field while protecting its electronics from sterilization processes. This segmentation enables the sensor to maintain measurement precision without exposure to harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
A hermetically sealed enclosure acts as an intermediary between the load sensing device and the harsh sterilization environment. This sealed housing protects the electronic components from autoclaving and disinfecting while allowing the sensor to remain functional in the sterile operating room environment, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and signal fidelity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If load sensing devices are exposed to multiple autoclave cycles for sterilization, then adaptability to surgical environment is improved, but manufacturing precision and measurement accuracy deteriorate due to signal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensing device is segmented into a protected internal environment and the external sterilization environment. The hermetic seal creates a distinct boundary that allows the sensor to be sterilized by autoclaving the external housing while the internal electronics remain protected, thus maintaining manufacturing precision and measurement accuracy while achieving sterilization compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetically sealed housing provides beforehand protection against the harsh autoclave environment. By designing the sensor with this protective barrier in advance, the system cushions the electronic components from thermal and chemical exposure during sterilization cycles, preventing signal degradation and maintaining measurement accuracy while enabling repeated sterilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are disposed within adapters to enable sophisticated functionality, then device capability is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to harsh sterilization environments
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is segmented into a hermetically sealed compartment housing the electronic components and the external interface exposed to sterilization. This allows sophisticated functionality to be integrated into the adapter while the sealed enclosure protects the electronics from autoclaving and disinfecting processes, thereby maintaining both device capability and component durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic seal serves as an intermediary that isolates electronic components from the harsh sterilization environment. This protective barrier enables the adapter to incorporate sophisticated electronics for enhanced functionality while the sealed housing shields these components from thermal and chemical damage during sterilization, thus improving reliability without sacrificing device capability.
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 solution enhances the durability and accuracy of load sensing in surgical devices by protecting components from sterilization cycles and enabling precise signal processing, improving the consistency and reliability of mechanical force measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The gimbal is a dual-rocking mechanism that allows rotation at the point of loading on the load sensing device so that changes in orientation of the trocar assembly do not affect the loading condition of the load sensing device
Implementation Method 2
The load sensing device is disposed between two parallel opposing surfaces and measures the strain imparted thereto due to actuation of various actuation assemblies within the adapter assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
An adapter assembly is provided and includes a tubular housing having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion and defining a longitudinal axis; a load sensing assembly disposed within the tubular housing in contact between a proximal surface and a distal surface, the proximal and distal surfaces perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the load sensing assembly configured to measure a load exerted on the tubular housing, the load sensing assembly including a sensor body; and a gimbal disposed between a sensor body surface and at least one of the proximal surface or the distal surface, the gimbal configured to isolate the sensor body from the load exerted in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.