Surgical Probe Exoshell for Sterile Tactile Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical probes face challenges with sterility and cost-effectiveness, as non-sterile, durable probes are more commonly used due to financial advantages, but they are susceptible to damage from sterilization and have complex control issues with sterile sheaths reducing sensory perception.
Innovation Solution
A sterile, disposable exterior shell casing, referred to as an 'exoshell,' encases a low-cost, non-sterile surgical probe core, providing direct sensory access to operable controls and maintaining sterility through a secure, aseptic design, allowing for tactile interaction and multiple reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a non-sterile, durable surgical probe is used, then cost-effectiveness is improved, but sterility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical device is divided into two distinct segments: a reusable non-sterile probe core and a disposable sterile exoshell. The probe core contains the detector and electronics, while the exoshell provides sterility and control interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the probe for durability and cost-effectiveness, and the exoshell for sterility and tactile control.
Solution Approach 2:
The reusable probe core is nested within the disposable sterile exoshell. The exoshell encapsulates the probe core, providing a sterile barrier while allowing the probe to function inside. This nesting structure enables the non-sterile probe to be used in a sterile surgical environment without requiring sterilization of the probe itself.
2Reliability
If a sterile sheath is used to cover the probe, then sterility is improved, but tactile access to controls is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The exoshell acts as an intermediary structure between the sterile environment and the non-sterile probe controls. Instead of placing controls outside the sterile field, the exoshell incorporates tactile controls on its sterile exterior surface, allowing surgeons to operate controls through the sterile barrier without compromising sterility or tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The exoshell is constructed as a flexible sterile barrier that can transmit tactile forces. The shell material allows for tactile interaction with controls while maintaining sterility, enabling the surgeon to feel and manipulate control elements through the sterile interface without direct contact with the non-sterile probe components.
3Ease of operation
If controls are positioned on the probe, then ease of operation is improved, but the probe becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The exoshell serves multiple functions: it provides sterility, houses tactile controls, and protects the probe core. By placing controls on the exoshell rather than the probe, the control interface becomes universal across different probe models, as long as they use the same exoshell design. This reduces probe complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for providing sterile and cost-affordable handheld surgical devices with tactile operable controls. In some aspects, a surgical device includes a surgical probe including a probe detector and a set of operable controls; an exterior shell casing including an opening at one end leading to an interior cavity structured to have a size and shape to fit the surgical probe within and position the probe detector in a first region and a handle of the surgical probe in a second region, in which the first region of the exterior shell casing is configured to be inserted into an incision of a patient's body and the second region is configured to provide a user of the surgical device utilization of the operable controls of the surgical probe through the exterior shell casing; and a cap attachable to the exterior shell casing to close the opening.