U.S. patent application number 15/640672 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for method for sealing a reusable electrical surgical instrument.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to John W. Beardsley.
Application Number | 20170296287 15/640672 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50679878 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170296287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beardsley; John W. |
October 19, 2017 |
METHOD FOR SEALING A REUSABLE ELECTRICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
Abstract
A method for sealing surgical instruments, particularly reusable
electric surgical instruments sterilized using an autoclave
process, includes providing at least two body shells having a
runner system on the mating surfaces, aligning the body shells,
securing the body shells in position relative to each other,
inserting an injection device into the runner system, injecting an
elastomer material from the injection device into the runner
system, removing the injection device from the runner system, and
curing the elastomer material. The elastomer material seals the
housing chamber of the instrument. The elastomer material may bond
the body shells together.
Inventors: |
Beardsley; John W.;
(Wallingford, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50679878 |
Appl. No.: |
15/640672 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14679607 |
Apr 6, 2015 |
9693827 |
|
|
15640672 |
|
|
|
|
13886506 |
May 3, 2013 |
9015919 |
|
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14679607 |
|
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|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29C 65/08 20130101;
B29C 65/70 20130101; B29C 45/00 20130101; Y10T 29/49893 20150115;
A61B 2017/00526 20130101; B21D 53/00 20130101; B29L 2031/26
20130101; B29C 65/483 20130101; B29C 65/562 20130101; Y10T 29/49947
20150115; B29C 66/54 20130101; B29C 66/1142 20130101; B29C 65/542
20130101; B29L 2031/7546 20130101; Y10T 29/49966 20150115; A61B
2090/0813 20160201; A61B 90/00 20160201; Y10T 29/49826 20150115;
B29C 39/10 20130101; A61B 17/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 90/00 20060101
A61B090/00; B21D 53/00 20060101 B21D053/00; B29C 39/10 20060101
B29C039/10; B29C 45/00 20060101 B29C045/00; A61B 17/00 20060101
A61B017/00; B29C 65/70 20060101 B29C065/70 |
Claims
1. A method for assembling and sealing a surgical instrument,
comprising: mating a first joining surface of a first body shell
with a second joining surface of a second body shell, the first
joining surface of the first body shell defining a runner system
that surrounds a perimeter of the first joining surface; inserting
an injection device into an inlet port of the first runner system;
injecting an elastomer material from the injection device through
the inlet port until the elastomer material exits from an outlet
port of the first runner system; and removing the injection device
from the inlet port while continuing to inject elastomer material
from the injection device.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein inserting the injection
device into the first runner system includes inserting the
injection device into the first runner system such that a tip of
the injection device is inserted past a bridge section of the first
runner system that fluidly connects the inlet port to the outlet
port.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising securing the
first and second body shells in position relative to one another
before inserting the injection device into the inlet port.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein securing the first and
second body shells in position includes at least one of screwing,
sonic welding, or clamping.
5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising curing the
elastomer material to form a seal between the first and second body
shells along the first and second joining surfaces.
6. The method according to claim 5, wherein curing the elastomer
material includes forming a bond between the first and second
joining surfaces with the elastomer material.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein mating the first and
second joining surfaces includes aligning the first runner system
with a second runner system defined the second joining surface, the
second runner system surrounding a perimeter of the second joining
surface.
8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising mating a
third joining surface of a third body shell with the first and
second joining surfaces, the third joining surface defining a third
runner system that surrounds a perimeter of the third joining
surface.
9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising inserting
the injection device into an inlet port of the third runner system
such that the tip of the injection device is inserted past a bridge
section of the second runner system that fluidly connects the inlet
port to an outlet port of the third runner system after removing
the injection device from the inlet port of the first runner
system.
10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising inserting a
second tip of the injection device into an inlet port of the third
runner system such that the second tip is inserted past a bridge
section of the third runner system that fluidly connects the inlet
port of the third runner system to an outlet port of the third
runner system.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein inserting the second
tip of the injection device into the inlet port of the third runner
system occurs concurrently with inserting the injection device into
the inlet port of the first runner system.
12. A method for assembling and sealing a surgical instrument
comprising: mating a first joining surface of a first body shell
with a second joining surface of a second body shell, the first
joining surface defining a first runner that surrounds a perimeter
of the first joining surface; positioning a tip of an injection
device in a first runner system which includes the first runner;
injecting elastomeric material through the tip until elastomeric
material exits from an outlet port of the first runner system; and
removing the tip from the first runner system while continuing to
inject elastomeric material.
13. The method according to claim 12, wherein positioning a tip of
the injection device in the first runner system includes
positioning the tip in an inlet port of the first runner system and
beyond a bridge section of the first runner system, the bridge
section fluidly coupling the inlet and outlet ports of the first
runner system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/679,607, filed Apr. 6, 2015, which is a continuation of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/886,506, filed May 3, 2013, now
U.S. Pat. No. 9,015,919. The entire contents of each of the above
applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to reusable
surgical instruments, and more particularly, to reusable electrical
surgical instruments that are sterilized.
Description of Related Art
[0003] Electrical surgical instruments generally comprise of a
handle portion having multiple body shells, which houses the
electrical components, and a working portion extending from the
handle portion, which comes in contact with a patient. After each
use, an electrical surgical instrument is disposed of, reused, or
partially disposed of and partially reused. Any part of an
electrical surgical instrument that is reused must be sterilized to
neutralize potentially infectious agents before being reused.
[0004] The autoclave process has been used for many years to
sterilized reusable surgical instruments. However, the steam and
the high-pressure used in the autoclave process can damage
electrical components within the housing. Even where the components
are disposed in a shell, the components can be damaged if the steam
is allowed to infiltrate the joints between the body shells of an
electrical surgical instrument. Different sealing methods have been
used to seal the joints between body shells.
[0005] One such sealing method is to bond the body shells of the
handle portion together with adhesives. Another known method
employs an o-ring that is compressed between the body shells using
screws or other joining means.
[0006] The existing sealing methods are known to fail after a
varying number of autoclave processes. One cause of the failure is
that the sealing materials and the material of the body shells
expand and contract at different rates and to differing extents
during the autoclave process.
[0007] Based on the above, a continuing need exists for a sealing
method that will extend the life of reusable electrical surgical
instruments capable of maintaining a sealed chamber during the
contracting and expansion that takes occurs during the autoclave
process.
SUMMARY
[0008] Disclosed herein is a method for sealing body shells that
injects an elastomer material into a runner system. The method
includes the steps of providing body shells of an instrument having
a runner system, aligning the body shells, securing the body shells
together, inserting an injection device into the runner system,
injecting an elastomer material, removing the injection device, and
curing the elastomer material forming a seal between the body
shells.
[0009] In an embodiment of the method, the runner system forms a
half-cylindrical groove on the joining surface.
[0010] In a certain embodiment of the method, the runner system is
on both joining surfaces of a pair of mutual joining surfaces.
[0011] In another embodiment of the method, the elastomer material
forms a bond between the body shells along the pair of mutual
joining surfaces.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the
present disclosure will become more apparent in light of the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a body shell having a runner
system on the joining surface;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the area of detail 2 of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of two body shells
mated together taken along section line 3-3 of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative configuration of a
runner system;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of a body shell showing an injection
device inserted in the runner system; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the area of detail 6 of FIG.
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Particular embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. In
the following description, well-known functions or constructions
are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present
disclosure in unnecessary detail.
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference
numerals identify identical or substantially similar parts
throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates first body shell
10 having runner system 30 in accordance with the principles of the
present disclosure.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, first body shell 10 defines side wall 20
about the perimeter of first body shell 10. Side wall 20 has
interior surface 22 and exterior surface 24. The side wall surface
between interior surface 22 and exterior surface 24 defines joining
surface 26. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the runner
system can be a recess, channel, or space defined by part of the
shell, and is generally narrow and extending the periphery of the
chamber of the joined shell parts.
[0022] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1, runner system 30 is disposed
on joining surface 26. Runner system 30 remains between interior
surface 22 and exterior surface 24. Runner system 30 diverts around
connecting holes 15. Runner system 30 has inlet port 32 and outlet
port 34 connected by bridge section 36 as shown in FIG. 2. The
corners of runner system 30 may be generally rounded.
[0023] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, inlet port 32 and
outlet port 34 each penetrate exterior surface 24 of side wall 20.
In another embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, inlet port 32' and
bridge 36' penetrate an exterior surface 24' of side wall 20' while
outlet port 34' remains between interior surface 22' and exterior
surface 24'.
[0024] Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, a particular embodiment of
the method is disclosed, the first step is to provide first body
shell 10 and second body shell 110. First body shell 10 and second
body shell 110 each having joining surfaces 26, 126. Joining
surface 26 configured to mate with joining surface 126. The pair of
joining surfaces 26, 126 defines a pair of mutual joining
surfaces.
[0025] Runner system 30 is partially disposed within at least one
of joining surfaces 26, 126. Runner system 30 may be partially
disposed within each joining surface 26, 126. In this
configuration, runner system 30 defines a substantially
semi-circular groove on each joining surface 26, 126.
[0026] Next, the pair of mutual joining surfaces are aligned such
that runner system 30 is in contact with each joining surface 26,
126 as shown in FIG. 3.
[0027] Once aligned, body shells 10, 110 are secured in position
relative to one another. Any known method of securing the body
shells together is envisioned. One known method is to clamp the
body shells in position. Another known method is to screw the body
shells together using connecting holes 15. Another known method is
by sonic welding the body shells together. Adhesives and other
methods can be used.
[0028] Once body shells 10, 110 are secured in position, injection
device 200 is inserted into inlet port 32 such that tip 211 of
injection device 200 is past bridge section 36 as shown in FIGS. 5
and 6. Injection device 200 includes distal portion 210 insertable
into inlet port 32. Distal portion 210 includes a lumen in fluid
communication with an opening in the tip 211 for delivering
material. Distal portion 210 is fluidly coupled to a source of
material (e.g., the elastomer material). The source can be a
reservoir of elastomer material or a cartridge. Injection devices
are well known to a person skilled in the art and include needles
and other suitable devices.
[0029] After injection device 200 is inserted, an elastomer
material (not shown) is injected from injection device 200 through
tip 211 into inlet port 32. The Elastomer material may be a natural
rubber, a synthetic rubber, a silicone that is room temperature
vulcanizing (RTV), or any suitable material with the viscosity to
flow through the runner system filling all voids before flowing
from the outlet port.
[0030] When the elastomer material is injected through runner
system 30, the elastomer material flows from inlet port 32 through
runner system 30 towards outlet port 34. When the elastomer
material flows from outlet port 34, injection device 200 is removed
from inlet port 32 while continuing to inject the elastomer
material. Injection device 200 is removed slowly to allow the
elastomer material to fill outlet port 34 and bridge section 36.
This is done to ensure that there are no voids in runner system 30.
Thus, the elastomer material completely fills runner system 30.
[0031] When runner system 30 is filled with the elastomer material,
the elastomer material is cured or allowed to cure. After the
elastomer material is cured, the elastomer material forms a seal or
barrier between exterior surfaces 24, 124 and interior surfaces 22,
122 forming housing chamber 80 within body shells 10, 110
illustrated in FIG. 3. The material may cure on its own, or using
heat, UV light, etc.
[0032] In an embodiment of the method, the elastomer material also
forms a bond between body shells 10, 110, further attaching the
first and second body shells.
[0033] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the elastomer
material has similar expansion and contracting properties to the
materials of body shells 10, 110 such that during an autoclave
process, the elastomer material and the body shell material expand
and contract at substantially the same rate maintaining a barrier
between housing chamber 80 and exterior surfaces 24, 124.
[0034] In any of the embodiments, runner system 30 is comprised of
a half cylindrical groove in each joining surface 26, 126 such that
when joining surfaces 26, 126 are aligned runner system 30 is
substantially cylindrical, illustrated in FIG. 3.
[0035] It is envisioned that this method may be used for
instruments with a plurality of body shells having a plurality of
pairs of mutual joining surfaces having a plurality of runner
systems. It is envisioned that each runner system may be injected
either sequentially with respect to other runner systems or
simultaneously with respect to other runner systems or a
combination of sequential and simultaneous injection. In any of the
embodiments disclosed herein, one or more chambers 80 can be formed
so that components in the chambers are separately sealed from the
exterior of the instrument, as well as each other.
[0036] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown
in the drawings and/or discussed herein, it is not intended that
the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the
disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the
specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description
should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications
of particular embodiments. Different embodiments of the disclosure
may be combined with one another based on the particular needs of
the patients to achieve optimal results of the surgical procedures.
Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within
the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *