Ultrasonic Scalpel Rod Assembly With Low-Impedance Support Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic scalpel rod assemblies experience increased impedance due to support rings, leading to overheating and surface scratching issues, and the use of glue results in manufacturing defects.
Innovation Solution
A scalpel rod assembly design featuring a support ring with a first protrusion on an inner tube, a second support body on the outer wall, and a connector through the inner tube, integrated for reduced impedance and improved adhesion, using silicone rubber for enhanced durability and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional ultrasonic scalpel design is used, then the basic cutting function is provided, but the risk of bacterial infection increases due to contamination from the operating room environment and inability to sterilize between patients
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic scalpel is divided into separable components: a reusable handle and a disposable rod assembly. The rod assembly contains the ultrasonic blade and can be discarded after a single use, eliminating cross-contamination risks while keeping the handle design relatively simple and reusable.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod assembly is designed as a disposable component that is sterilized in manufacturing and then discarded after one use. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization procedures between patients and ensures complete elimination of bacterial contamination risks.
2Reliability
If a disposable ultrasonic blade is used, then sterilization between patients is ensured, but the cost of the scalpel increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the scalpel into reusable handle and disposable rod, only the essential cutting component is disposable, minimizing waste and cost while ensuring sterilization where it matters most - at the blade level.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable rod assembly is fully sterilized in manufacturing packaging, providing localized sterilization assurance exactly where needed (at the cutting interface), while the handle can be simpler and reused, optimizing the balance between cost and sterilization assurance.
3Productivity
If the ultrasonic blade is allowed to contact the patient directly, then cutting function is achieved, but the risk of foreign object embolism increases due to potential detachment and entry into bloodstream
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic blade is nested within a protective rod assembly that acts as a containment structure. This protective housing prevents blade detachment and potential embolism while allowing the blade to perform its cutting function when properly positioned at the tissue interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod assembly serves as an intermediary protective structure between the ultrasonic blade and the patient's bloodstream. It allows the blade to function while preventing direct exposure of loose blade fragments to the vascular system.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the ultrasonic blade is contained within a protective structure, then foreign object embolism risk is reduced, but the complexity of the scalpel assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure is designed as a nested rod assembly that integrates the blade, protective housing, and connector into a compact unified unit. This nested design minimizes overall complexity compared to separate protective mechanisms while maintaining embolism protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective housing, blade mounting, and connector functions are merged into a single integrated rod assembly that is disposed of as one unit. This combining of functions reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall assembly process.
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
Reduces impedance and overheating, prevents surface wear, and ensures reliable assembly and sealing, maintaining consistent vibration frequency and preventing glue spillage during manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic blade (202) contained within a rod assembly (201). The rod assembly (201) and ultrasonic blade (202) are configured to be disposable and sterilized in the manufacturing process
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Provided is a scalpel rod assembly of an ultrasonic scalpel. The scalpel rod assembly includes a scalpel rod (1), an inner tube (2), and a support ring (3); the inner tube (2) is sleeved outside the scalpel rod (1); the support ring (3) includes a first support body (311), the first support body (311) is provided on the inner wall of the inner tube (2), and a first protrusion (3111) protrudes from the first support body (311) in a direction away from the inner tube (2) until the first protrusion (3111) abuts against the scalpel rod (1). According to the scalpel rod assembly, the impedance of the scalpel rod (1) is reduced, the loss of the scalpel rod assembly during the process of energy conversion is reduced, and the situation that the scalpel rod (1) is overheated to affect normal use is avoided; moreover, the situation that the surface of the scalper rod (1) is worn due to the cleaning of spilled glue to result in a change in the working frequency of the scalper rod (1) is avoided.