Reusable Umbilicus Cable Segmentation for Medical Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in minimizing cross-contamination between patients due to improper sterilization, and the disposal of single-use devices generates significant waste and costs.
Innovation Solution
The development of a reusable umbilicus cable for medical devices, which includes a tether with control buttons and an engagement feature for secure attachment to the medical device handle, allowing for easy detachment and reattachment, and featuring converters for signal transmission between electrical and light signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If single-use medical devices are used to minimize cross-contamination, then patient safety is improved, but waste and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The medical device is divided into two segments: a single-use disposable portion (medical device with handle) and a reusable umbilicus cable. The disposable portion contacts the patient and is discarded after one use, while the umbilicus cable remains outside the sterile barrier and can be reused. This segmentation allows the system to minimize cross-contamination risks while reducing waste compared to complete single-use devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbilicus cable acts as an intermediary component that connects the disposable medical device to the controller. It transmits electrical signals, power, and data between the two without needing to be sterilized, as it remains outside the sterile barrier. This intermediary role enables reuse of the cable while maintaining patient safety through disposable components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use medical devices are used to prevent cross-contamination, then infection risk is reduced, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the medical device into disposable and reusable portions. Only the handle and shaft that contact the patient are disposable, while the expensive umbilicus cable with converters and circuitry is reusable. This reduces overall costs compared to disposing of entire medical devices after each use, while still preventing cross-contamination through the disposable components.
3Loss of substance
If reusable medical devices are used to reduce waste and costs, then environmental impact is reduced, but cross-contamination risk increases due to improper sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented so that patient-contacting portions are disposable while the umbilicus cable is reusable. This eliminates sterilization requirements for the cable portion, reducing cross-contamination risk associated with improper sterilization, while still minimizing waste compared to complete single-use devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The umbilicus cable serves as an intermediary that operates outside the sterile field. By positioning this reusable component outside the sterile barrier, the system eliminates the need to sterilize it between patients, thereby eliminating cross-contamination risks while allowing reuse to reduce waste.
4Loss of substance
If a reusable umbilicus cable is used with disposable medical devices, then waste and costs are reduced, but the complexity of connection and disconnection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The umbilicus cable includes self-aligning engagement features such as guide pins, tapered surfaces, and spring-loaded connectors that automatically align and secure the connection between the disposable medical device and the controller. These self-service mechanisms reduce the complexity of manual connection and disconnection operations despite the reusable design.
5Reliability
If a secure engagement feature is used to attach the umbilicus to the handle, then connection reliability is improved, but ease of detachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement feature uses a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism that provides strong holding force during use (improving connection reliability) but can be easily released by applying slight pressure or pulling force (improving ease of detachment). The spring allows the connection to be secure during operation but simple to disengage when needed.
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
This solution reduces cross-contamination risks, decreases waste and costs associated with single-use devices, and facilitates efficient reuse of the umbilicus cable while maintaining effective signal transmission and control functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The umbilicus may include a handle connection end converter located within the handle connection end, wherein the handle connection end converter may convert a plurality of electrical signals into a plurality of light signals for transmission through circuitry in a main body of the umbilicus to a controller connection end.
Implementation Method 2
The umbilicus may include a controller connection end converter located within a controller connection end, wherein the controller connection end converter may convert a plurality of light signals into a plurality of electrical signals for transmission to a controller.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device may comprise a first part. The first part of the medical device may have a handle, a shaft attached to the handle, and a distal assembly at a distal end of the shaft. The medical device may also comprise an umbilicus releasably attached to the handle of the first part.