Surgical Shaft Slip Ring With Flexible Water-Trapping Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments face challenges in maintaining electrical connectivity and preventing water ingress during rotation, leading to signal noise and power loss due to the use of traditional wire-based communication systems.

Innovation Solution

A slip ring assembly with a proximal connector and a rotatable distal connector, featuring conductors spaced apart to maintain contact while allowing rotation, and a flexible member to trap water away from the conductive interface, ensuring reliable power and signal transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional wire-based communication systems are used for electrical connectivity during rotation, then flexibility and rotational movement are enabled, but water ingress occurs leading to signal noise and power loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational flexibilityVSAvoidelectrical signal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is segmented into multiple conductors that are spaced apart from one another, preventing water from simultaneously contacting multiple conductors. This segmentation approach maintains electrical connectivity while reducing the risk of water ingress affecting signal quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A flexible member acts as an intermediary element between the first and second connectors. This flexible member includes hydrophobic features that actively trap and redirect water away from the conductor interfaces, preventing water ingress while maintaining rotational flexibility and electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If conductors are placed in contact for electrical connectivity, then power and signal transmission are enabled, but water ingress causes signal noise and power loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and signal transmissionVSAvoidwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible member incorporates hydrophobic features that exploit water's natural behavior to redirect it away from conductors. By using surface tension and hydrophobicity, the system converts the harmful factor of water into a beneficial mechanism that actively traps and redirects water away from the electrical interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface structure implements local quality variations where conductors are spaced apart at critical locations, and hydrophobic features are positioned specifically at water-prone areas. This localized design maintains electrical connectivity where needed while providing water protection at vulnerable interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If a sealed interface is used to prevent water ingress, then water protection is improved, but rotational movement is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoidrotational movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface is designed as a dynamic system where the flexible member can deform and adapt during rotational movement. The flexible protrusions on the flexible member can elastically deform to accommodate rotational motion while maintaining the water-trapping function, enabling both rotation and water protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible member acts as a flexible barrier that provides water protection without rigidly sealing the interface. This flexible structure allows rotational movement while maintaining water ingress resistance through its hydrophobic features and elastic deformation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 slip ring assembly effectively prevents water ingress and maintains electrical contact during rotation, reducing signal noise and power loss, thereby enhancing the reliability of surgical instruments.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible member disposed between the slip ring and the commutator, wherein the flexible member includes a body portion and flexible portions extending from the body portions, wherein the flexible portions are elastically deformed against the slip ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the interface is configured to trap water away from at least one of the first conductor and the second conductor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

the flexible portions are elastically deformed against the slip ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11564686B2Surgical shaft assemblies with flexible interfaces

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

A slip ring assembly is used with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a slip ring, a first conductor mounted on the slip ring, a commutator rotatable relative to the slip ring, and a second conductor mounted on the commutator. The slip ring assembly further includes a flexible member disposed between the slip ring and the commutator. The flexible member comprises a body and flexible protrusions extending from the body, wherein the flexible protrusions are elastically deformed against the first slip ring.