Surgical Marker Pressure Control Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical marking devices often face challenges due to contamination from blood, viscous solids, oils, and debris, which can clog the ink dispensing end and require frequent cleaning, leading to fatigue for surgeons during prolonged procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical marker with a controllably pressurizable chamber and pressure control mechanisms, such as a plunger or squeezable bulb, that increases ink flow to overcome contamination and reduce operator effort, featuring complementary threads or reaction surfaces for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible barrels are used to increase ink flow, then ink flow is improved, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marking device automatically maintains ink flow through its internal pressure-regulating mechanism without requiring the operator to continuously squeeze or apply force to the barrel. The device self-regulates ink delivery despite contamination, eliminating the need for manual pressure application and reducing operator fatigue during prolonged use.
2Reliability
If manual squeezing is required to maintain ink flow, then ink flow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates an automatic pressure regulation system that maintains consistent ink flow without requiring manual squeezing operations. Internal components including a pressure-regulating valve and elastic element work autonomously to compensate for contamination and maintain ink delivery, eliminating the need for complex manual squeezing mechanisms while reducing operational complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If frequent cleaning is performed to remove contaminants, then marking quality is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-regulating mechanism proactively compensates for contamination effects before they severely impact ink flow. By automatically increasing pressure to overcome clogging from blood, oils, and debris, the device maintains marking quality without requiring interruption for cleaning, thereby eliminating time loss associated with frequent cleaning operations.
4Reliability
If pressure is increased to overcome contamination, then ink flow is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a self-regulating pressure system where an elastic element and pressure-regulating valve work in conjunction to automatically increase pressure when contamination impedes ink flow. This autonomous pressure compensation mechanism maintains reliable ink delivery without requiring complex external pressure control systems or manual intervention, balancing improved ink flow with acceptable device complexity.
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 effectively maintains ink flow despite contamination, reducing the need for frequent cleaning and minimizing operator fatigue during long surgeries by allowing controlled pressure adjustment for consistent marking.
Implementation Method 1
The body and the plunger can include respective complementary threads for purposes of moving the plunger deeper into the body via a screwing motion
Implementation Method 2
a squeezable bulb having an interior volume fluidly coupled to the body at the first end, wherein a pressure within the body may be controlled via the squeezable bulb
Implementation Method 3
a pressure control mechanism for controlling a pressure within the body and a flow of ink outward of the body via the tip during use
Implementation Method 4
The body and the plunger can include respective opposing reaction surfaces to facilitate the manual generation and application of a compressive force for purposes of moving the plunger deeper into the body
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of surgical markers for marking internal and external tissues are provided herein. In some embodiments, a surgical marking device for marking tissue may include a body including an at least partially hollow interior, a first end and a second end; a tip coupled to the body at the second end; and a plunger movably coupled to the body at the first end and configured to control a pressure within the at least partially hollow interior of the body via movement of the plunger relative to the body, wherein the pressure control may control a flow of ink outward of the body via the tip during use. Alternatively, in some embodiments, a squeezable bulb may be provided in place of the plunger, the squeezable bulb having an interior volume fluidly coupled to the body, wherein a pressure within the body may be controlled via the squeezable bulb.