Surgical Instrument Slidable Suction Conduit Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical instruments with suction capabilities often require frequent insertion and removal, causing trauma and irritation, and existing solutions are inefficient when switching between cutting and suction operations due to the design of cutting windows and suction application.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument with a slidable suction conduit that can be moved between retracted and extended positions, allowing for suction to be applied through a dedicated inlet, preventing tissue contact with cutting surfaces and optimizing suction placement at the distal-most tip.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated suction device is used instead of the surgical cutting instrument, then suction capability is improved, but instrument exchange frequency increases causing trauma and irritation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction capabilityVSAvoidtrauma and irritation from frequent instrument exchange

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical cutting instrument is designed to perform multiple functions: cutting operations and suction operations. The instrument includes a suction conduit that can be extended to enable suction capability, eliminating the need for separate suction devices and reducing frequent exchanges that cause trauma and irritation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction conduit is made slidable relative to the main body of the surgical instrument, allowing it to be moved between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables the instrument to transition between cutting-only mode and suction-capable mode, providing versatility while maintaining a single instrument in the patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the surgical cutting instrument is used as a suction device by aligning cutting windows, then instrument exchange is reduced, but tissue is drawn into cutting surfaces causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical efficiencyVSAvoidtissue damage from cutting surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The suction function is extracted from the cutting windows and relocated to a dedicated suction conduit with a separate suction inlet. This separation allows suction to be applied without tissue contacting the cutting surfaces, eliminating tissue damage while maintaining surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction conduit acts as an intermediary structure between the suction source and the surgical site. It provides a dedicated pathway for suction that does not involve the cutting surfaces, preventing tissue from being drawn into the cutting edges while still enabling effective suction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If suction is applied through side windows of inner and outer tubes, then suction capability is achieved, but suction placement is suboptimal compared to distal tip

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuction capabilityVSAvoidsuction placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The suction inlet is repositioned from the side surface (horizontal dimension) to the distal tip (vertical/distal dimension). This dimensional change allows suction to be applied at the very tip of the instrument, providing optimal placement precision for different surgical applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables efficient suction operations without needing to withdraw the instrument, reducing trauma and allowing for seamless transitions between cutting and suctioning without the need for a separate suction wand, thus improving surgical efficiency and patient comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum is applied through the inner tube such that the bodily material that is to be cut, shaved, etc. is drawn into the windows of the inner and outer tubes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

the surgical instrument can be used as a suction tool by placing the suction conduit in the extended position and applying a vacuum through the inlet of the main unit and the suction inlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS8657840B2Surgical instrument with distal suction capability

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 GYRUS ENT

AI summary

A surgical instrument including a main unit and a suction conduit. The main unit includes at least one tubular body having a distal end, a proximal end, and an inlet disposed near the distal end. The suction conduit is slidably disposed over the main unit, and is slidably movable along the main unit between a retracted position, at which the suction conduit does not cover the inlet of the main unit, and an extended position at which the suction conduit covers the inlet of the main unit and a suction inlet of the suction conduit is placed in fluid-communication with the main unit inlet. The surgical instrument can be used as a suction tool by placing the suction conduit in the extended position and applying a vacuum through the inlet of the main unit and the suction inlet.