Surgical Instrument Sheath Segmentation and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical treatment instruments face challenges in maintaining liquid-tightness and preventing the flow of liquids to the proximal side, which can lead to short-circuits and improper high-frequency electric power supply during ultrasonic and high-frequency treatments.
Innovation Solution
The surgical treatment instrument features a probe and sheath design with multiple sheath components divided along the longitudinal axis, employing inner and outer seal portions, and relay seal portions to prevent liquid flow, ensuring liquid-tightness between the sheath components and maintaining proper electric power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the sheath is divided into multiple sheath components to facilitate assembly and sterilization, then the ease of manufacture and sterilization is improved, but the risk of liquid leakage at the dividing planes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into multiple sheath components (first sheath component and second sheath component) that can be assembled separately and sterilized independently, then connected at the dividing plane to form a complete sheath assembly
Solution Approach 2:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary element at the dividing plane between sheath components to ensure liquid-tight connection. The seal member fits into a seal groove and prevents liquid from penetrating through the joint between components
2Reliability
If seal portions are added to prevent liquid flow at the dividing planes, then the liquid-tightness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is integrated with the sheath components through a seal groove structure, combining the sealing function with the structural components rather than adding completely separate sealing elements. The insulating layer is also integrated into the sheath component structure
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating layer is implemented as a thin film or coating on the outer peripheral surface of the sheath components, providing both electrical insulation and liquid barrier functions without significantly increasing structural complexity or bulk
Data Source
AI summary
In a surgical treatment instrument, a probe extending in a longitudinal axial direction is inserted through a sheath, and each of sheath components, in the sheath, is divided from a neighboring sheath component at a dividing plane along the longitudinal axial direction. A flow of liquid to a proximal side in an inside of the sheath is prevented by a first seal portion. In a divided part between each of the sheath components and the neighboring sheath component, liquid-tight is kept by the second seal portion, and thereby a flow of the liquid to the proximal side is prevented.