Surgical Stapling Device Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical stapling devices face challenges in maintaining sterility and preventing moisture ingress during cleaning and sterilization processes, particularly due to the use of plastic clam shells in adapter assemblies, which can lead to moisture entering the proximal portion and affecting the functionality and sterility of the electronics.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating thermal energy storage members, such as sugar alcohols like xylitol or erythritol with high heat capacity, within the rotation knob of the adapter assembly to evaporate any remaining water during the sterilization process, ensuring the device's sterility and preventing damage to electronics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the adapter assembly uses a plastic clam shell to facilitate rotation, then ease of operation is improved, but moisture ingress occurs during cleaning and sterilization, compromising sterility and electronics functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotation of adapter assemblyVSAvoidsterility maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A hydrophobic coating is applied to the plastic clam shell to create an intermediary barrier that repels moisture. This coating allows the clam shell to maintain its rotational function while preventing water ingress during sterilization, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and sterility maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of the plastic clam shell are modified by applying a hydrophobic coating, changing its moisture interaction parameters. This parameter change enables the material to remain water-repellent while maintaining its mechanical rotational function, addressing both ease of operation and sterility requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the adapter assembly is sealed to prevent moisture ingress, then sterility is improved, but cleaning and sterilization processes become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidcleaning and sterilization process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The hydrophobic coating serves as an intermediary that provides moisture protection without creating a hermetic seal. This allows sterilization agents to access the interior surfaces for cleaning while still preventing moisture ingress during storage and use, balancing sterility maintenance with ease of cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If thermal energy storage members are added to the rotation knob, then moisture evaporation and sterility protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidadapter assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation knob is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the rotational mechanism for ease of operation and simultaneously houses thermal energy storage members for moisture evaporation. This multi-functionality approach integrates the thermal management feature into an existing component, minimizing additional complexity while improving sterility maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal energy storage members are nested within the rotation knob structure. This nesting approach allows the thermal management system to be integrated into the existing rotational mechanism without requiring separate external components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the sterility protection function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 thermal energy storage members effectively evaporate water within the surgical device, minimizing the risk of infection and damage to electronics, thereby maintaining the sterility and functionality of the device during reuse.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one thermal energy storage member is supported within the rotation knob and has a high heat capacity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal energy storage: Thermal Energy Storage

Implementation Method 2

The thermal energy storage members effectively evaporate water within the surgical device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The at least one thermal energy storage member is supported within the rotation knob and has a high heat capacity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat capacity: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11627966B2Surgical stapling device

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A reusable surgical device includes a housing or body that supports one or more thermal energy storage members that retain or store heat during a cleaning and sterilization process. The stored heat functions to evaporate water that remains within the body or housing of the surgical device after the cleaning and sterilization process is completed to minimize any likelihood of infection of a patient or damage to electronics within the surgical device that may result or occur due to the presence of the water within the surgical device.