Surgical Instrument Attachment System with Locking Ball
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for minimally invasive procedures lack a secure and efficient mechanism for quickly attaching and detaching surgical implements, which complicates surgical treatments and may lead to accidental detachment during operations.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument design featuring a coupling mechanism with a locking ball system and spring bias, allowing for secure and quick attachment and detachment of surgical implements through a cylindrical coupler and outer slider, along with a connection system using keys and bosses for rotational actuation and suction functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling mechanism is provided for attaching surgical implements, then the surgical instrument can perform various surgical tasks, but the mechanism may accidentally detach during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism employs a dynamic locking system where a locking ball is biased by a spring to engage with a locking groove on the surgical implement. This dynamic arrangement allows the implement to be securely locked during operation while still permitting controlled detachment when needed, resolving the contradiction between attachment security and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking ball serves as an intermediary element between the coupling body and the surgical implement. It mediates the connection by engaging with the locking groove to prevent accidental detachment, while the spring provides the necessary force to maintain this engagement without requiring permanent fixation.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent accidental detachment, then attachment security improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a coupling body, a surgical implement, a locking ball, and a spring. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining attachment security. The locking ball and spring can be easily manufactured and assembled separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded locking ball automatically engages with the locking groove when the surgical implement is inserted into the coupling body. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual locking procedures or additional actuating mechanisms, maintaining attachment security without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the surgical implement is designed for quick attachment and detachment, then surgical efficiency improves, but the risk of accidental detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded to bias the locking ball into engagement with the locking groove before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary action ensures that the implement is securely locked as soon as it is attached, enabling quick changes while maintaining attachment security throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical spring-loaded locking system replaces more complex mechanical locking mechanisms that would require multiple components or manual operations. This substitution maintains attachment security through simple elastic forces while enabling quick attachment and detachment, thereby improving surgical efficiency without compromising reliability.
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
Enables secure and rapid attachment/detachment of surgical implements, preventing accidental detachment and facilitating efficient surgical procedures by ensuring reliable connection and suction functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed within the hand-piece and biased to push the outer slider towards the distal end
Implementation Method 2
a suction pump is connected to the hand-piece and provides the suction force for drawing the fluid and debris away from the surgical site
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical implement for use with a hand-piece of a surgical instrument for performing a surgical treatment, comprises: an outer tube member including an outer hub and an outer tube extending longitudinally from the outer hub, the outer tube and the outer hub defining a longitudinal bore, the outer hub having a generally circular outer surface and including a circumferential locking groove and a key for releasable attachment of the outer tube member to the surgical instrument; and, an inner tube member including an inner hub and an inner tube extending longitudinally from the inner hub, the inner tube and the inner hub defining a longitudinal bore, the inner tube configured to insert within the longitudinal bore of the outer tube member and including an end effect portion disposed adjacent to a distal end of the inner tube, the inner hub having a generally circular outer surface and including a plurality of bosses radially formed on the outer surface thereof for releasably connecting the inner tube member to an actuator of the surgical instrument for performing the surgical treatment. A surgical instrument having a coupling for releasable attachment of the surgical implement is also disclosed.