Variable-Bore Pneumatic Drive Lines for Flexible Surgical Instruments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional pneumatic drive lines for surgical instruments have a constant internal diameter, leading to suboptimal flexibility and mass distribution, which affects the performance and efficiency of pneumatic surgical instruments like vitrectomy probes during procedures such as vitrectomy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of pneumatic drive lines with a non-uniform internal cross-section or diameter, featuring stepped or tapered configurations, optimizing gas flow and flexibility based on functional needs along the length of the line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional tubing with constant inside diameter is used, then manufacturing is simple and consistent, but pneumatic performance is not optimized and flexibility is uniform throughout (not optimized near instrument)
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing is designed with varying internal diameter along its length, creating different zones with specific properties: larger diameter near the console for high gas flow capacity, smaller diameter near the instrument for flexibility and reduced mass. This local differentiation optimizes pneumatic performance for each section's specific functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal diameter parameter of the tubing is changed progressively along its length, transitioning from a larger diameter at the console end to a smaller diameter at the instrument end. This parameter variation optimizes both gas flow characteristics and mechanical flexibility in different sections of the drive line.
2Stability of the object's composition
If tubing with constant inside diameter is used, then structural consistency is maintained, but flexibility is not optimized near the surgical instrument
Solution Approach 1:
The tubing structure is designed with locally differentiated properties: the section near the surgical instrument has a smaller internal diameter that provides enhanced flexibility and reduced mass for easier manipulation, while the console section maintains larger diameter for structural stability and high flow capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive line is effectively segmented into zones with different diameter characteristics, allowing each zone to be optimized for its specific function: the proximal zone prioritizes flow capacity while the distal zone prioritizes flexibility and maneuverability.
3Productivity
If tubing with constant inside diameter is used, then gas flow is consistent throughout, but pneumatic power delivery is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The internal diameter parameter is progressively reduced along the length of the tubing from console to instrument. This creates an optimized flow path that maintains adequate flow capacity near the console while improving pneumatic power delivery near the instrument through the smaller diameter section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the tubing are designed with diameter characteristics matched to their local functional requirements: the console section uses larger diameter for high flow capacity, while the instrument section uses smaller diameter for optimized pneumatic power delivery and responsiveness.
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
Enhances the performance of pneumatic surgical instruments by allowing for higher gas flow and flexibility, reducing mass, and optimizing pneumatic performance, particularly at the instrument end where high flexibility and low mass are crucial.
Implementation Method 1
The internal bore has a non-uniform cross-section along a length of the pneumatic drive line
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.