Surgical Device Luer Configuration for Cleaning Fluid Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices face challenges in thorough cleaning and sterilization, particularly in the reuse of adapter, end effector, and extension assemblies, which can lead to residual debris and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device design featuring a luer configuration with a threaded portion for selective engagement, a seal within the outer sleeve, and a port system that directs fluid proximally to facilitate cleaning and sterilization, including a seal assembly and direction nozzles to target hard-to-reach areas, ensuring effective removal of debris and minimizing flow traps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If surgical devices are designed for reuse with adapter, end effector, and extension assemblies, then device versatility and cost-effectiveness are improved, but cleaning and sterilization thoroughness deteriorates due to residual debris and contamination in hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device is divided into separable components including adapter assemblies, end effectors, and extension assemblies that can be detached from the handle assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be individually cleaned and sterilized, ensuring thorough cleaning of all surfaces and internal passages without cross-contamination, while maintaining the versatility of reusable components.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning assembly with cleaning fluid delivery mechanisms is introduced as an intermediary system to facilitate thorough cleaning of the surgical device components. The cleaning assembly includes fluid delivery catheters that can access internal passages and hard-to-reach areas, ensuring complete removal of debris and contamination while preserving the reusability of the surgical components.
2Ease of operation
If conventional cleaning methods are used on surgical devices, then cleaning simplicity is maintained, but cleaning effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to access hard-to-reach areas and flow traps
Solution Approach 1:
A specialized cleaning assembly acts as an intermediary tool that simplifies the cleaning process while dramatically improving effectiveness. The cleaning assembly includes pre-configured fluid delivery catheters, nozzles, and channels that automatically route cleaning fluid to hard-to-reach areas and internal passages, eliminating the need for complex manual cleaning procedures while ensuring complete cleaning coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning assembly is designed with pre-positioned fluid delivery pathways, nozzles, and channels that are configured before cleaning begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that cleaning fluid is automatically directed to all critical surfaces and internal passages including flow traps, making the cleaning process both simple to operate and highly effective without requiring complex user maneuvers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If surgical devices have multiple ports and internal channels for functionality, then device capability is improved, but cleaning accessibility deteriorates due to flow traps and hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device is segmented into modular components with defined interfaces, allowing cleaning fluid to systematically flow through each component's internal channels and ports. This segmentation enables thorough cleaning of complex internal pathways while maintaining the functional versatility of multiple ports and channels for different surgical applications.
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning assembly with specifically designed fluid delivery catheters and nozzles acts as an intermediary to access and clean internal channels and ports that are otherwise difficult to reach. The cleaning assembly routes fluid through all internal passages including flow traps, ensuring complete cleaning while preserving the device's multi-functional capability through its various ports and channels.
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 design enables thorough cleaning and sterilization of surgical devices, ensuring their reuse by effectively directing fluid to all areas, including those difficult to access, thereby reducing contamination risks and improving device hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
the housing defines an aperture configured to direct fluid proximally
Data Source
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AI summary
A surgical device includes an outer sleeve, and a luer. The outer sleeve includes an inner wall, a port and a housing. The port extends through the inner wall of the outer sleeve, and the housing is disposed within the port. The luer is configured for selective engagement with the housing, and includes an input portion and an exit port. The input portion is disposed radially outward of the outer sleeve when the luer is engaged with the housing. The input portion is configured for engagement with a source of fluid. The exit port is disposed radially inward of the inner wall of the outer sleeve when the luer is engaged with the housing.