Surgical Adapter Trocar Lock Visual Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powered surgical devices, such as circular stapling instruments, require efficient reprocessing after use, which is hindered by the difficulty in ensuring proper attachment and detachment of trocars, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies in cleaning and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adapter assembly with a trocar assembly release mechanism, featuring a pair of pins and a spring clip system, allows for secure attachment and visual indication of the trocar's locked or unlocked status, facilitating easy removal and reattachment, thereby enhancing the reprocessing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trocar assembly is made securely attachable to the outer tube, then reliability of connection is improved, but ease of operation for detachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lock pins are designed to be dynamically positionable between locked and unlocked states. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the pins to automatically engage with the trocar assembly features during insertion, providing secure attachment. For detachment, the release button dynamically repositions the pins to disengage from the trocar, enabling easy removal while maintaining reliable connection during use.
2Ease of operation
If a visual indication system is added to show locking status, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator pins utilize visual position changes to indicate locking status. When the trocar assembly is properly locked, the indicator pins are positioned in a first location visible through the outer tube, providing clear visual confirmation. When unlocked or improperly inserted, the pins move to a second location, indicating the changed status without requiring complex electronic or optical systems.
3Ease of operation
If a release mechanism with multiple components is implemented, then ease of operation for detachment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism combines multiple functions into an integrated assembly. The release button, spring-loaded indicator pins, and locking features are merged into a single coordinated mechanism. Pressing the release button simultaneously repositions multiple pins and disengages locking features, providing easy detachment while minimizing the number of separate components compared to alternative designs.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter assembly, for connecting a surgical reload to an electromechanical handle assembly, includes an outer tube; a trocar assembly releasably securable within a distal end of the outer tube, the trocar assembly including a trocar housing defining a pair of openings therein, wherein the pair of openings are in opposed radially extending relation to one another; and a trocar assembly release mechanism configured to releasably secure the trocar assembly within the outer tube. The release mechanism includes a pair of pins slidably supported within the outer tube, wherein each pin is selectively receivable within a respective opening of the pair of openings formed in the trocar housing; a release button supported in the outer tube and movable between an extended condition and a depressed condition; and a spring clip slidably supported in the outer tube, the spring clip interconnecting the release button and the pair of pins.