Variable-Bore Pneumatic Drive Lines for Surgical Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pneumatic drive lines for surgical instruments have a constant internal diameter, which affects their flexibility and pneumatic performance, particularly in vitrectomy procedures where optimized gas flow and flexibility are crucial.
Innovation Solution
The use of a pneumatic drive line with a non-uniform internal cross-section, featuring a stepped or tapered configuration, to optimize gas flow and flexibility based on the functional needs along its length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional tubing with constant inside diameter is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but pneumatic performance is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing is designed with varying internal diameter along its length, creating different flow characteristics in different sections. The larger diameter proximal section optimizes for gas flow from the console, while the smaller diameter distal section optimizes for delivery to the surgical instrument, with each section having locally optimized properties for its specific function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tubing with constant inside diameter is used, then structural uniformity is maintained, but flexibility and pneumatic performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the tubing have different internal diameters optimized for their specific functional requirements. The proximal section has larger diameter for optimal gas flow reception, while the distal section has smaller diameter for optimal delivery and flexibility near the surgical instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The tubing is divided into distinct sections with different internal diameters - a proximal section with larger diameter and a distal section with smaller diameter. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized independently for its specific function while remaining part of a continuous flexible structure.
3Quantity of substance
If larger diameter tubing is used throughout, then gas flow capacity is improved, but flexibility and mass are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing diameter is optimized locally for each section's function. The proximal section has larger diameter to maximize gas flow capacity from the console, while the distal section has smaller diameter to reduce mass and improve flexibility where the tubing is most mobile and handled during surgery.
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
The non-uniform internal cross-section enhances pneumatic performance by allowing for a larger gas volume at the console end while maintaining high flexibility and low mass near the surgical instrument, improving the efficiency of surgical instruments like vitrectomy probes.
Implementation Method 1
The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line... the passageway has a non-uniform diameter from the source of the compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument
Data Source
AI summary
In one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a system. The system includes a pneumatic surgical instrument and a surgical console operable to provide compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. Additionally, the system includes a pneumatic drive line coupling the pneumatic surgical instrument to the surgical console. The pneumatic drive line has an internal bore configured to deliver the compressed gas to the pneumatic surgical instrument. The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line.