Surgical Magazine System for Automated Instrument Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical practices are inefficient due to the time spent changing and cleaning instruments during surgery, requiring constant presence of a surgeon and medical assistant to ensure correct instrument attachment and handling, which slows down the procedure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus with a magazine system that stores multiple medical interventions, allowing for quick interchange and alignment of instruments without manual searching, enabling automated or remote operation through a guide system and motorized movement for efficient tool selection and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual instrument changing and cleaning is performed during surgery, then instruments can be reused and sterilized, but significant time is lost and constant surgeon/assistant presence is required
Solution Approach 1:
Instruments are pre-loaded into the magazine system before surgery begins. The magazine holds multiple instruments in ready-to-use positions, allowing the probe to be quickly exchanged between pre-prepared instruments without manual searching or cleaning during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument system is segmented into modular components: the probe (which enters the patient's body), the instrument (which performs the surgical function), and the magazine (which stores multiple instruments). This segmentation allows the probe to remain in position while only the instrument portion is exchanged, minimizing interruption to the surgical flow.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual instrument handling is performed, then flexibility in instrument selection is maintained, but productivity decreases due to constant manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine system is designed to accommodate multiple different types of instruments simultaneously, each capable of performing different surgical functions. The universal magazine structure can hold various instrument configurations while providing automated exchange capability, combining versatility with high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the probe automatically exchanges instruments with the magazine without requiring manual intervention. The surgeon simply selects the desired instrument, and the system automatically completes the exchange process, freeing the surgeon from manual instrument handling tasks while maintaining adaptability in instrument choice.
3Reliability
If instruments are manually changed during surgery, then correct instrument attachment can be verified, but device complexity increases due to required manual monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine system incorporates feedback mechanisms that confirm when an instrument is properly loaded and ready for use. Sensors or detection systems verify instrument presence and correct positioning within the magazine chambers, providing automatic confirmation to the surgeon that the next instrument is properly prepared for exchange, eliminating the need for manual verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The magazine acts as an intermediary between the probe and the instrument storage system. It provides a controlled interface that ensures only properly prepared instruments can be exchanged with the probe, automatically verifying correct attachment through mechanical or sensor-based confirmation systems built into the magazine-probe interface.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a surgical apparatus including a magazine which is arranged to receive a plurality of medical interventions particularly for use in surgery. The surgical apparatus comprises a magazine including a plurality of chambers each adapted to store a medical intervention, the apparatus further comprising a probe adapted to interchangeably mate with the plurality of medical interventions wherein each chamber comprises an inlet access port to enable the probe to extend into the chamber and mate with a medical intervention therein and an outlet access port to enable passage of the probe including a medical intervention therefrom, the apparatus further comprising a first guide portion for guiding the probe to the magazine, a second guide portion aligned with the first guide portion for guiding the probe from the magazine and a positioning arrangement arranged to enable movement of the magazine relative to the first and second guide portions to enable selective alignment of the first and second guide portions with one of the plurality of chambers to enable passage of the probe therethrough.