Surgical Suction Control Member for Low-Trauma Fluid Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional medical suction devices lack efficient control over suction pressure, cause trauma to delicate organs, are prone to blocking, noisy, and uncomfortable for prolonged use, leading to patient discomfort and procedural inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A medical suction device with a control member that allows selective control of suction pressure, features a tapered bore design to prevent blocking, and includes a quiet operation mechanism with interchangeable suction tubes for various surgical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suction devices are used with constant vacuum, then suction function is maintained, but uncontrolled suction forces cause trauma to delicate organs
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device incorporates a control member that allows dynamic adjustment of suction pressure between different levels (e.g., first suction level and second suction level). This enables the system to transition from constant high vacuum to controlled variable vacuum, preventing trauma to delicate organs while maintaining effective suction when needed.
2Ease of operation
If flexible tubing is used to connect device to vacuum pump, then device mobility is enabled, but tubing twists and applies reaction torque restricting user manoeuvring
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into a handheld suction device and a separate vacuum pump connected by flexible tubing. The suction device includes an integrated control member that operates independently of the pump, allowing precise control without being constrained by tubing flexibility or reaction forces from the pump connection.
3Productivity
If conventional suction tubes are used, then basic suction function is provided, but devices are prone to blocking by wax, clotted blood, or bone fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The suction tube is designed with specific local characteristics including a tapered distal end and smooth internal surfaces to prevent material accumulation. The control member includes a valve mechanism with controlled opening sizes that can be adjusted to match different suction requirements, preventing blockages while maintaining effective suction.
4Reliability
If constant vacuum is applied continuously, then suction function is maintained, but high noise levels cause acoustic trauma to patient ears
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device allows periodic adjustment of vacuum levels between different suction states. The control member can be actuated to reduce vacuum pressure when not actively suctioning, thereby minimizing noise exposure to the patient's ears while maintaining effective suction during active use.
5Measurement precision
If rigid control mechanism is added to suction device, then suction pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is designed as a self-actuating mechanism where the user directly controls the valve opening through simple manual input. The valve mechanism automatically adjusts suction pressure based on the control member position without requiring complex electronic controls or additional actuation systems, maintaining simplicity while providing precise control.
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 precise suction control, reduces noise, minimizes trauma risk, and enhances comfort during prolonged use, while maintaining efficient fluid and solid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a control member for selectively controlling a negative pressure at the distal end region of the device
Implementation Method 2
the control member comprises a button portion actuatable by a user to selectively move a valve portion of the control member across the through bore from an open position towards a closed position to at least partially restrict a fluid flowing along the through bore
Data Source
AI summary
The present application describes a device (100) for transferring a fluid from a surgical site, comprising an elongate body portion (102) defining a proximal end region (106) of the device connectable to a source of negative pressure, an elongate neck portion (104) defining a distal end region (108) of the device locatable at a surgical site, a through bore extending from the distal end region to the proximal end region, and a control member (116) for selectively controlling a negative pressure at the distal end region of the device, wherein the control member comprises a button portion actuatable by a user to selectively move a valve portion of the control member across the through bore from an open position towards a closed position to at least partially restrict a fluid flowing along the through bore. A system including said device (100) and a flexible tube (200) and a method of controlling a negative pressure at the distal end region of the device are also described.