Method and apparatus for attachment and evacuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical smoke evacuation systems are inadequate in accommodating varying diameters of suction tubes and do not efficiently combine blower and pump units for flexible use in different surgical procedures, leading to potential hazards from unevacuated smoke plumes.
Innovation Solution
A dual surgical smoke evacuation system with a universal hose attachment mechanism that includes adjustable elements, such as mechanical irises and flexible inserts, allowing for secure attachment of hoses of different diameters, and a dual blower and pump unit configuration that can share filters and power sources, enabling flexible operation as a single combined system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed diameter suction tube is used in conventional evacuation systems, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate varying diameters of suction tubes required for different surgical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an adjustable iris mechanism that can dynamically change the diameter of the attachment opening to match different suction tube diameters. The iris consists of multiple adjustable elements that can be positioned to create openings of varying sizes, allowing the same attachment mechanism to accommodate tubes ranging from small to large diameters without requiring multiple fixed-size attachments.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is designed as a universal interface that can connect to suction tubes of different diameters through the adjustable iris. This single multi-functional attachment replaces the need for multiple fixed-diameter attachments, enabling one device to serve multiple surgical procedures with different tube size requirements.
2Productivity
If separate blower and pump units are used, then each unit can be optimized for its specific function, but the system occupies more space and requires multiple power sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the blower unit and pump unit into a single integrated evacuation system. The blower and pump are housed together with shared components including the power source, control mechanisms, and filtration system. This integration maintains the functional benefits of having both blower and pump capabilities while reducing the overall system footprint and eliminating the need for separate power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated unit serves multiple functions simultaneously - the blower provides positive pressure evacuation while the pump provides negative pressure evacuation, and both can be controlled from a single interface. The shared power source and control system enable one device to perform what previously required two separate devices.
3Reliability
If multiple separate evacuation units are deployed, then comprehensive smoke removal can be achieved, but the setup time and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple evacuation capabilities (blower and pump) into a single unit with shared power and control systems, the patent eliminates the need to set up multiple separate units. The unified design reduces setup time while maintaining the reliability benefits of having both positive and negative pressure evacuation options available simultaneously.
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 system effectively evacuates surgical smoke from various procedures by accommodating different tube diameters and combining blower and pump units for enhanced filtration and suction control, reducing hazards to surgical teams by ensuring efficient smoke removal.
Implementation Method 1
a motor operable to urge a fluid to pass through the opening and the adjustable element
Implementation Method 2
the pump motor operable to urge a fluid to pass through the pump port
Implementation Method 3
a filter operable to filter extraneous materials from the fluid that passes through the opening and the adjustable element
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Presented are a method and apparatus for attachment and evacuation. The apparatus includes a housing having an opening, and a motor maintained within the housing, the motor operable to urge a fluid to pass through the opening. The apparatus further includes an adjustable element maintained within the opening, the adjustable element operable to change a size of the opening to a plurality of different diameters, and a knob moveably affixed to the housing, the knob operable to change the adjustable element to the plurality of different diameters.