Self-Clearing Surgical Suction Device Stylet Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical suction devices frequently become clogged during procedures, requiring interruption and manual clearing by assistants, leading to inefficiencies and prolonged surgical times.
Innovation Solution
A self-clearing surgical suction device design that allows surgeons to remove obstructions at the distal tip without needing an assistant, featuring a suction tube, guide structure, stylet, and junction conduit that enable direct clearing of blockages within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual clearing of clogged suction tips is performed by assistants, then the suction tip can be cleared of obstructions, but surgical time is prolonged and operational efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical suction device enables self-clearing functionality through an integrated stylet mechanism that allows the surgeon to clear obstructions independently without requiring assistant intervention. The stylet can be inserted through the suction tube to remove blockages from the distal tip, allowing the device to service itself during surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device is divided into functional segments including the suction tube, stylet, guide structure, and junction conduit. This segmentation allows the stylet to be independently manipulated within the suction tube to clear obstructions while maintaining continuous suction functionality through the separate suction pathway.
2Productivity
If the surgeon continues using the suction device until the distal tip becomes clogged, then the suction device can effectively clear the operative field, but the surgical procedure is interrupted and efficiency is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated stylet mechanism allows the surgeon to quickly clear obstructions without interrupting the surgical flow. The stylet can be rapidly inserted and withdrawn to clear the distal tip, maintaining continuous operability of the suction device throughout the procedure.
3Reliability
If the surgeon hands the clogged suction device to an assistant for clearing, then the obstruction can be removed, but the surgical workflow is disrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The surgeon maintains full control of the suction device and can clear obstructions independently using the integrated stylet mechanism. This eliminates the need to transfer the device to an assistant, maintaining continuous surgical workflow and maximizing productivity.
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 continuous operation by allowing surgeons to clear obstructions independently, reducing surgical time and improving efficiency by eliminating the need for assistant intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The suction (referred to below as negative pressure) created at the tip clears the field of the materials mentioned above that may be obstructing the surgeon's field of view
Implementation Method 2
Urging the stylet through the guide structure along the second longitudinal axis through the junction conduit translates the distal end of the stylet to the distal opening of the junction conduit
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
AI summary
A surgical suction device is disclosed that includes a suction tube having a first longitudinal axis, a proximal opening, and a distal opening; a guide tube that is substantially coextensive with and parallel to the suction tube, and has a second longitudinal axis, a proximal opening, and a distal opening; a stylet having a proximal end and a distal end; and a junction conduit having a proximal opening and a distal opening; wherein the stylet is disposed along the second longitudinal axis and encircled by the guide tube, and the proximal opening of the junction conduit is in contact with the distal opening of the suction tube and the distal opening of the guide tube such that the distal opening of the junction conduit is in fluid communication with the suction tube, and urging the stylet through the guide tube along the second longitudinal axis through the junction conduit translates the distal end of the stylet to the distal opening of the junction conduit.