Thermal mechanism to prevent reprocessing or reuse of mechanical surgical devices
AssigneeGyrus ACMI, Inc.
InventorWilliam F. Kratoska
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical apparatus comprising: a mechanism that is configured to perform an operational motion of the surgical apparatus; and at least one transformation member having an original shape and a deformed shape, the at least one transformation member connecting the mechanism together, when the at least one transformation member is in the deformed shape so that the mechanism is capable of performing the operational motion; and wherein after the transformation member is subject a transition temperature, the at least one transformation member changes from the deformed shape to the original shape and disengages a portion of the mechanism so that the mechanism is prevented from performing the operational motion.
Claims10
A surgical apparatus comprising:
- a housing;
- a mechanism having a member disposed within the housing, the member having a recess and being configured to perform an operational motion of the surgical apparatus;
- at least one transformation member having a working portion, the at least one transformation member being mounted at the housing opposite the recess, the at least one transformation member having:
- a deformed shape and an original shape, wherein:
- in the deformed shape, the working portion extends into the recess such that the mechanism is capable of performing the operational motion;
- and
- upon exposure to a transition temperature, the at least one transformation member transitioning between the deformed shape and the original shape such that the working portion moves out of the recess to prevent the mechanism from performing the operational motion;
- and
- at least one pre-load component configured to be removable before a first use of the surgical apparatus, the at least one pre-load component being arranged to inhibit deformation of the at least one transformation member before removal of the at least one pre-load component, wherein the at least one pre-load component is configured to support the at least one transformation member in the deformed shape during an initial sterilization process.
A method of forming a surgical apparatus comprising:
- providing a mechanism within a housing, the mechanism having:
- a recess;
- and
- a first element and a second element configured to perform an operational motion of the surgical apparatus;
- coupling the first element with the second element with at least one transformation member, the at least one transformation member:
- coupling with the housing;
- having a working portion positioned within the recess;
- having a deformed shape and an original shape, wherein:
- in the deformed shape the working portion extends into the recess such that the mechanism is capable of performing the operational motion;
- and
- upon exposure to a transition temperature, the at least one transformation member transitions to the original shape such that the working portion moves out of the recess to prevent the mechanism from performing the operational motion;
- providing at least one pre-load component configured to be removable before a first use of the surgical apparatus, the at least one pre-load component being arranged to inhibit deformation of the at least one transformation member before removal of the at least one pre-load component, wherein the at least one pre-load component is configured to support the at least one transformation member in the deformed shape during an initial sterilization process;
- and
- subjecting the mechanism and the at least one transformation member to the initial sterilization process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.