Tunnel Device Shaft Connection Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tunnel devices face hygiene issues due to body fluids and tissue adhering to the device, particularly in the screw connections, making cleaning difficult and posing a risk of contamination during subcutaneous tunnel formation for implanting artificial blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A tunnel device design featuring a shaft connection portion with a shaft housing portion and a base-portion-side screw portion, where the shaft is securely fixed to the base portion, minimizing gaps and preventing fluid and tissue entry into the screw interfaces, allowing for easier cleaning and improved hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the tunnel device uses a screw connection between the shaft and handle, then the connection is secure and detachable, but body fluid and tissue enter the screw groove portion making cleaning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is nested within the shaft housing portion, creating a layered structure where the shaft is surrounded by the housing. This nesting arrangement allows the shaft to be securely held while preventing body fluid and tissue from reaching the screw connection area, as the housing acts as a protective barrier that directs fluids away from the screw groove portion.
2Ease of repair
If the shaft is detachably connected to the handle, then the device can be disassembled for washing, but the screw groove portion is difficult to clean due to fluid adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The screw connection is extracted from direct exposure to body fluid by placing it inside the shaft housing portion. The housing separates the screw interface from the contaminated environment, allowing the screw connection to remain accessible for disassembly and cleaning while preventing fluid and tissue from adhering to the screw groove portion during operation.
3Strength
If the shaft housing portion has an inner diameter substantially same as outer diameter of the shaft, then the shaft is securely held, but any gap allows fluid entry
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft housing portion provides a tight fit with the shaft at the connection area (inner diameter substantially same as outer diameter of shaft end) to securely hold the shaft. Meanwhile, the tapered portion at the opening end provides a different local quality - a gradual taper that guides body fluid away from the screw connection area, preventing fluid entry into the groove portion while maintaining secure shaft holding.
Data Source
AI summary
A tunnel device includes a base portion, a shaft to be connected to the base portion at one end of the shaft, and a tip portion to be connected to another end of shaft. The base portion is provided with a shaft connection portion to which the one end of shaft is connected. The shaft is provided with a shaft-side screw portion at the one end of the shaft. The shaft connection portion includes a shaft housing portion having an inner diameter substantially same as an outer diameter of the one end of the shaft, and a base-portion side screw portion provided on a further inner side relative to the shaft housing portion. The base portion and the shaft are fixed to each other by screwing between the shaft-side screw portion and the base-portion side screw portion.