Expandable neuroendoscope auxiliary channel

Abstract

A fastening device is composed of a lower shell and an upper shell, a gear transmission assembly is composed of a bevel gear, a spiral gear ring and a petal-shaped rack, and the bevel gear rotates to drive the spiral gear ring to rotate so that the petal-shaped rack can be gradually expanded; the distraction mechanism comprises petal-shaped pipelines and medical hoses, the petal-shaped pipelines are evenly distributed in the center of the device and are in meshed connection with petal-shaped racks, and synchronous movement of the multiple petal-shaped pipelines is achieved through a gear transmission assembly, so that the inserted medical hoses or operation channels are driven to dilate; the control display module comprises a motor base, a motor, an OLED display screen and a programming module board so as to control stable transmission, and the expansion degree is monitored in real time through the rotation angle of the motor and displayed on the OLED display screen. The device is compact in structural design and easy and convenient to operate, stable expansion of a channel is achieved through accurate gear transmission, the surgical risk is effectively reduced, and the efficiency and safety of the neuroendoscopic surgery are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical devices, specifically to an auxiliary channel for neuroendoscopy, which can provide doctors with a stable and uniformly expandable auxiliary channel during neuroendoscopic surgery, and is suitable for neuroendoscopic surgical procedures involving various complex skull structures. Background Technology

[0002] In modern neurosurgery, neuroendoscopic surgeries such as evacuation of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage, evacuation of intraventricular hematoma, and resection of intraventricular tumors are common and important medical procedures. These surgeries typically require precise exposure of the lesion through a surgical channel to allow the surgeon to perform the procedure efficiently and safely. However, traditional surgical methods expose a large area, which can easily cause secondary damage to brain tissue, increase the risk of postoperative infection, and prolong the patient's recovery time. To address these issues, disposable tissue expanders are widely used in minimally invasive surgery.

[0003] Existing expanders typically employ fixed-size channel designs, failing to flexibly adapt to the needs of lesions of varying sizes. In cases of large lesions or requiring extensive exposure, the expander's channel space may be insufficient, leading to inadequate exposure. Some expanders have complex designs, potentially requiring multiple adjustments or reoperations during surgery. This becomes cumbersome and increases surgical time, especially when repeated positioning adjustments are needed or when using them in conjunction with other instruments. Most expander designs are geared towards common superficial surgical needs, but for deep brain lesions (such as deep ventricular hematomas or tumors), they may suffer from insufficient channel depth and inadequate dilation. However, existing designs still require further optimization, particularly in terms of positioning stability, adaptability, and dilation control. For example, the reusable peritoneal dialysis catheter expander proposed in CN221617110U, while offering good stability and positioning accuracy through its outer cannula and inner core design, still faces the challenge of insufficient channel adaptability in surgical applications. For example, CN220938092-U proposes an insertion dilatation device for deep craniotomy resection of lesions in the head. Through a combination of a cantilever support and a dilatator, the stability and flexibility of the dilatator during surgery are enhanced. However, the existing dilatator has a limited range of orifice adjustment, which is insufficient for adequate exposure of larger lesions and may increase the difficulty of the surgery. Furthermore, slight misalignment or displacement may still occur during insertion, increasing the potential risk of damage to brain tissue. Especially when maintaining dilatator stability for extended periods, the workload of the surgical assistant is significantly increased. Therefore, future designs should further enhance the automated adjustment capabilities and ease of operation of the dilatation device to better adapt to the needs of different lesion sizes, reduce surgical risks, and improve efficiency. To this end, there is an urgent need to design a more stable, flexible, and precise dilatator to improve surgical accuracy, reduce risks, and increase surgical efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the limitations of existing expanders in the auxiliary channel operating space during neuroendoscopic surgery, as well as the potential risks before and during the procedure, this invention provides an expandable neuroendoscopic auxiliary channel. This gear-driven expandable auxiliary channel enables stable and smooth expansion of the lesion area during neuroendoscopic surgery, reducing surgical risks and uncertainties.

[0005] This invention relates to an expandable neuroendoscopic auxiliary channel, characterized by comprising a fastening device, a gear transmission assembly, a spreading mechanism, and a control and display module. The fastening device supports the gear transmission assembly and the control and display module. The lower housing of the fastening device has multiple cross-shaped guide grooves for the movement of the petal-shaped racks, and the upper housing has cylindrical grooves for connecting three bevel gears. The gear transmission assembly includes a helical gear ring, three bevel gears, and multiple petal-shaped racks meshing with the helical gear ring. The teeth on the upper end face of the helical gear ring mesh with the bevel gears, and the helical pattern on the lower end face meshes with the multiple petal-shaped racks, achieving synchronous outward expansion of the multiple petal-shaped racks. The spreading mechanism includes petal-shaped channels connected to each petal-shaped rack, achieving steady expansion of the petal-shaped channels through the synchronous outward extension of the petal-shaped racks. The control and display module includes a motor base, a motor, an OLED display screen, and a programming module board. The motor base is fixed to the upper housing, and the motor is snapped into the motor base. The OLED display screen and programming module board are integrated above the motor.

[0006] The upper end face of the helical gear ring has a conical thread, while the lower end face has a special functional thread with a helical pattern, used for meshing with the bevel gear and the petal-shaped rack. Driven by a motor, the bevel gear rotates clockwise, causing the petal-shaped rack to expand outwards, providing sufficient operating space to expose the lesion. The petal-shaped rack and tubing are designed with 4 to 8 petals, with protrusions on the left and right sides of the petal-shaped rack forming a cross shape, used to guide the dilator to the cross-shaped tunnel structure of the lower shell, ensuring the stability and accuracy of the dilator. A fastening device is used to fix the device, ensuring stable positioning during surgery and preventing channel displacement.

[0007] The valve-shaped canals and racks are connected by an interference fit with pins. Both expand synchronously with the rotation of the helical gear ring, achieving stable expansion of the surgical channel. Each valve-shaped canal features a triangular lateral protrusion, acting as a reinforcing rib to strengthen the connection with the racks and ensure smooth expansion during rotation. The entire expansion process is controlled by a motor, allowing for precise adjustment of the orifice diameter and ensuring sufficient operating space, avoiding the problems of insufficient channel space and expansion accuracy commonly found in traditional expanders.

[0008] The motor, motor controller, and OLED display are integrated and connected to the programming module board. By pre-programming the control code into the module board, the system has the following control logic: the motor controller drives the motor to rotate, the motor drives the bevel gear to rotate and transmit power to the helical gear ring, and then the rotation of the helical gear ring drives the uniform expansion of the petal-shaped rack, thereby achieving precise control of the expansion degree; the system has a preset direct proportional function relationship between the motor rotation angle and the expansion degree, so the motor rotation angle signal is linearly converted into the actual expansion degree value and the result is displayed on the OLED display in real time.

[0009] Due to the precision required for surgery, the gear transmission components need to have a certain transmission accuracy, which requires a precision motor for control. Therefore, the gear transmission components are connected to the motor, and the doctor can control the opening and closing degree of the opening mechanism by controlling the motor. Furthermore, the motor is equipped with an OLED feedback display screen, which can calculate the motor rotation angle and gear transmission ratio to display the opening and closing degree of the opening mechanism, providing the doctor with more rigorous and accurate data for the surgery, and significantly improving the precision and success rate of the surgery.

[0010] The beneficial effects of this patent are:

[0011] 1. Through a precise gear drive structure, the device can expand smoothly and synchronously to meet different operating space requirements during surgery;

[0012] 2. The design of the fastening device and its fit with the channel provide good device positioning and stability, avoiding the risks caused by assistant misoperation or unstable handholding in traditional handheld expanders;

[0013] 3. The meshing structure of the valve-shaped rack and valve-shaped canal ensures the smoothness of the expansion process and reduces secondary damage to brain tissue.

[0014] 4. By controlling the motor-driven gear transmission assembly, the opening and closing size of the opening mechanism can be precisely controlled, and the degree of opening and closing can be displayed on the OLED screen in real time for doctors to view, which increases the controllability of the operation and reduces the damage to brain tissue.

[0015] 5. This invention is inexpensive, easy to operate, and has wider applicability.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, this patent achieves stable fixation of the device in the surgical area through an innovative combination of a fastening device, gear transmission assembly, spreading mechanism, and control display module. It also enables precise expansion of the flap-shaped toothed component via gear transmission, simplifying operation and improving efficiency. Its rational structural design offers strong applicability and supports multi-directional adjustment, making it particularly suitable for surgical procedures involving deep lesions. Furthermore, the flap-shaped toothed rack and flap-shaped channel form a closed passage, combined with an elastic blocking structure, effectively preventing brain tissue damage and enhancing surgical safety. In addition, the device is easy to install and disassemble, highly durable, adaptable to different patient needs, and possesses strong clinical application value and economic practicality. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention from another angle.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the present invention from another angle.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the upper shell after it explodes;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the upper three-dimensional structure of the device of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the back of the gear transmission assembly and the spreading mechanism in this invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the gear transmission assembly surface in this invention;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the control display module in this invention;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the usage state of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of the flap-shaped channel of the present invention in an expanded state;

[0027] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Fastening device; 2. Gear transmission assembly; 3. Spreading mechanism; 4. Control and display module; 101. Lower shell; 102. Upper shell; 201. Bevel gear; 202. Helical gear ring; 203. Lobe-shaped rack; 301. Lobe-shaped pipe; 302. Medical tubing; 303. Pin; 401. Motor base; 402. Motor; 403. LED display screen; 404. Programming module board. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To further illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. These embodiments are intended to describe preferred implementations of the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. Those skilled in the art, based on their understanding of the core ideas of the present invention, can make appropriate modifications and adjustments to the following implementation details, and all such modifications and adjustments fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] As attached Figures 1 to 8 As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a gear-driven expandable neuroendoscopic auxiliary channel, which mainly includes a fastening device 1, a gear transmission assembly 2, an opening mechanism 3, and a control and display module 4. The structure, connection relationship, and working principle of each component will be described in detail below.

[0030] In this embodiment, the fastening device 1 serves as the support and positioning foundation for the entire device, and is detachably connected to the lower shell 101 and the upper shell 102 by screws or clips. The lower shell 101 has an annular structure, and its inner side is provided with multiple (e.g., 6 evenly distributed) cross guide grooves. These cross guide grooves are radially distributed to accommodate and guide the movement of the petal-shaped rack 203. The design of the cross guide grooves ensures that the petal-shaped rack 203 can only move linearly along a predetermined trajectory, preventing deflection or misalignment during expansion, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the device.

[0031] The upper shell 102 also has a ring-shaped structure, with three evenly distributed cylindrical grooves on its side for fixing the bevel gear 201. The size of the cylindrical grooves matches the shaft of the bevel gear 201, ensuring that the bevel gear 201 will not fall off during rotation. The upper shell 102 also has connecting holes on its upper side for mating with the lower shell 101, and the overall structure is secured with fastening screws. Furthermore, the upper shell 102 has mounting surfaces on its side for integrating the control display module 4.

[0032] The gear transmission assembly 2 is the core component for realizing the expansion motion, and includes three bevel gears 201, a helical ring gear 202, and multiple petal-shaped racks 203. In this embodiment, there are six petal-shaped racks 203, but the number can be adjusted to four, eight, or other quantities depending on the surgical requirements.

[0033] Three bevel gears 201 are symmetrically distributed at 120 degrees and fixed in the cylindrical groove of the upper shell 102. The shaft of each bevel gear 201 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 402 through a coupling or direct snap-fit ​​to realize power transmission (several sets of motors 402 work synchronously, but only one set of motors is shown in the figure). The tooth profile of the bevel gear 201 is a spiral bevel tooth, which can efficiently mesh with the tooth profile structure at the upper end of the spiral tooth ring 202. The spiral tooth ring 202 is located between the lower shell 101 and the upper shell 102. Its structure has a double tooth profile: the upper end face is a conical thread tooth, which meshes with the bevel gear 201; the lower end face is a continuous spiral pattern (such as an Archimedean spiral), which meshes with the rack inside the petal rack 203. The spiral tooth ring 202 is connected to the fastening device 1 through a bearing or sliding bushing to ensure that it can rotate smoothly.

[0034] Each petal-shaped rack 203 is an elongated component with a toothed groove on its upper surface that matches the spiral pattern at the lower end of the helical gear ring 202, and two connecting holes on its outer side. The bottom of the petal-shaped rack 203 has a cross-shaped protrusion that engages with the cross-shaped guide groove of the lower shell 101, restricting its movement to radial direction only. When the helical gear ring 202 rotates under the drive of the bevel gear 201, the spiral pattern pushes the petal-shaped rack 203 to extend outward synchronously, achieving an expansion motion. The transmission ratio of the gear transmission assembly 2 is precisely calculated to ensure smooth and synchronous movement of the petal-shaped rack 203, avoiding tissue damage caused by jamming or asynchrony. The entire transmission process is precisely controlled by the motor 402, and the expansion speed and range are adjustable.

[0035] The expansion mechanism 3 includes valve-shaped channels 301 and medical tubing 302. The number of valve-shaped channels 301 is the same as that of the valve-shaped racks 203 (six in this embodiment). Each valve-shaped channel 301 is a load-bearing component capable of withstanding radial expansion forces. Its material is a medical polymer with good biocompatibility, wear resistance, and structural rigidity, such as polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polycarbonate (PC), or equivalent materials. A flexible buffer layer or coating, such as medical silicone rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or a hydrophilic lubricating coating, can be further provided on the outer side of the valve-shaped channel 301 or on the surface that may come into contact with human tissue to reduce friction and improve tissue compatibility. The valve-shaped channels 301 can also achieve antibacterial / antimicrobial effects through material modification or surface treatment. The inner wall of the valve-shaped channel 301 is smooth, and the outer wall is provided with reinforcing ribs (such as triangular transverse protrusions) to enhance structural strength and prevent deformation during expansion. The valve-shaped channel 301 has a radius of 4 mm and an outer radius of 5 mm when it is reduced to its smallest size.

[0036] The valve-shaped conduit 301 is connected to the valve-shaped rack 203 via an interference fit through a pin 303. When the valve-shaped rack 203 moves outward, it causes the valve-shaped conduit 301 to expand synchronously, forming a gradually increasing channel space. A medical flexible tube 302 (which prevents brain tissue from seeping between adjacent valve-shaped conduits after expansion and from being pinched when the valve-shaped conduit shrinks; this flexible tube 302 is elastic to achieve expansion and contraction functions) is fitted over the outside of the valve-shaped conduit 301. The medical flexible tube 302, valve-shaped conduit 301, and the device are inserted into the brain together. The medical flexible tube 302 expands as the valve-shaped conduit 301 expands, and the internal space of the expanded valve-shaped conduit 301 provides an entry channel for neuroendoscopy or surgical instruments. The expansion radius of the valve-shaped conduit 301 ranges from 5mm to 30mm and can be adjusted according to surgical needs.

[0037] The design of the expansion mechanism 3 ensures uniform and smooth expansion, reducing pressure and damage to brain tissue. The valve-like structure of the valve-like canal 301 forms an approximately circular channel when fully expanded, providing optimal surgical visibility and operating space.

[0038] The control display module 4 is integrated on the top of the upper shell 102 and includes a motor base 401, a motor 402, an OLED display screen 403 and a programming module board 404. The motor base 401 is fixed to the upper shell 102 with screws, and the motor 402 is snapped into the motor base 401. Its output shaft is connected to the bevel gear 201.

[0039] The programming module board 404 is a microcontroller-based circuit board with pre-programmed control code to achieve the following functions: drive the motor 402 to rotate, and precisely control the degree of expansion by adjusting the rotation angle and direction of the motor; monitor the rotation angle of the motor 402 in real time, and calculate the current expansion diameter according to the preset transmission ratio.

[0040] The expansion data is displayed in real time on the OLED display 403, providing doctors with intuitive visual feedback.

[0041] The control logic is as follows: The doctor sends a signal through an external controller. After receiving the signal, the programming module board 404 drives the motor 402 to rotate, which in turn drives the bevel gear 201 and the helical gear ring 202 to rotate, ultimately expanding or contracting the expansion mechanism 3. The OLED display screen 403 displays the current expansion diameter or percentage, ensuring the accuracy and safety of the surgery.

[0042] The procedure for using this device during surgery is as follows:

[0043] Preparation phase: Place the device at the target position on the patient's head and initially secure it using fastening device 1. Ensure that the valve conduit 301 is in the closed state (minimum radius).

[0044] Insertion phase: The neuroendoscope is inserted into the lesion area through the valve canal 301.

[0045] Expansion Phase: The doctor activates the control display module 4, which drives the motor 402 to rotate slowly. This, via the gear transmission assembly 2, causes the petal-shaped rack 203 and petal-shaped channel 301 to expand synchronously until the desired operating space is reached. During expansion, the OLED display 403 shows the degree of expansion in real time, allowing the doctor to make fine adjustments as needed.

[0046] Surgical phase: Neuroendoscopic procedures, such as hematoma removal or tumor resection, are performed within a stable access channel.

[0047] Contraction and Removal: After the surgery is completed, control motor 402 reverses to contract the spreading mechanism 3 to its minimum state, and then gently remove the device.

[0048] This device features a modular design for easy disassembly and cleaning. The fastening device 1 and gear transmission assembly 2 are connected by clips or screws for quick separation. The valve-shaped tube 301 and valve-shaped rack 203 are connected by pins 303, which can be removed for easy replacement or sterilization. The motor 402 and control display module 4 can also be disassembled as a whole to prevent liquid intrusion. All components are made of high-temperature and corrosion-resistant medical materials, supporting reuse and high-temperature, high-pressure sterilization, meeting surgical aseptic requirements.

[0049] The expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted channel of this invention employs a gear-driven, valve-like conduit structure design, offering multiple advantages such as precise control, stable positioning, and minimally invasive expansion. Synchronous expansion is achieved through gear transmission, ensuring the accuracy and stability of the expander during surgery, avoiding misalignment or displacement, reducing local damage to brain tissue, and lowering the risk of postoperative complications. The device can flexibly adjust the expansion space to adapt to different lesion sizes, improving surgical efficiency and shortening operation time. Furthermore, the compact structural design simplifies operation, reducing the risk of instrument use and cross-infection. Overall, the device improves surgical safety, minimal invasiveness, and postoperative recovery speed, and is particularly suitable for the precise exposure and manipulation of deep brain lesions.

[0050] The foregoing has shown and described the main features, operating principles, and preferred embodiments of the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the details of the above-described examples. Without departing from the spirit and core features of the present invention, appropriate modifications and substitutions, such as to the number of petal-shaped racks, gear ratios, the specific materials of the petal-shaped pipes, or the specific implementation of the control and display module, should be considered equivalent embodiments based on the technical concept of the present invention. Therefore, this embodiment should be considered exemplary and non-limiting, and the scope of protection of the present invention should be defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not limited to the foregoing description. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements within the spirit and principles defined by the claims of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] Furthermore, it should be understood that although this specification describes embodiments, the technical features of each embodiment can be combined with each other to form other implementation schemes that can be understood by those skilled in the art. These technical solutions formed through appropriate combinations should all fall within the protection scope sought by this invention.

Claims

1. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted access channel, characterized in that: The device includes a fastening device (1), a gear transmission assembly (2), a spreading mechanism (3), and a control display module (4). The fastening device (1) is used to support the gear transmission assembly (2) and the control display module (4). The lower shell (101) of the fastening device (1) is provided with multiple cross guide grooves for the movement of the petal rack (201), and the upper shell (102) of the fastening device (1) is provided with cylindrical grooves for connecting three bevel gears (201). The gear transmission assembly (2) includes a helical gear ring (202), three bevel gears (201), and multiple connecting rods. (202) The meshing petal racks (203) have the tooth profile on the upper end face of the spiral tooth ring (202) meshing with the bevel gear (201), and the spiral pattern on the lower end face meshing with multiple petal racks (203), so as to realize the synchronous outward extension of multiple petal racks (203); the opening mechanism (3) includes petal pipes (301) connected to each petal rack (203), and the petal pipes (301) are steadily expanded by the synchronous outward extension of the petal racks (203); the control display module (4) includes a motor base (401), a motor (402), an OLED display screen (403) and a programming module board (404), the motor base (401) is fixed to the upper shell (102), the motor (402) is snapped in the motor base (401), and the OLED display screen (403) and the programming module board (404) are integrated above the motor.

2. The expandable neuroendoscopic auxiliary channel as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The lower housing (101) of the fastening device (1) includes a plurality of guide grooves connected to the petal-shaped rack (202) for limiting the movement trajectory of the petal-shaped rack (202).

3. The expandable neuroendoscopic auxiliary channel as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The upper shell (102) of the fastening device (1) includes multiple cylindrical grooves that are connected to the motor (402) and the bevel gear (201).

4. The expandable neuroendoscopic auxiliary channel as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The gear transmission assembly (2) includes multiple bevel gears (201), which are connected to a motor (402) and rotated by the motor (402).

5. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted channel as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The upper end of the spiral toothed ring (202) is provided with a tooth structure that matches the bevel gear (201), and the lower end of the spiral toothed ring (202) is provided with a spiral pattern that matches the petal-shaped rack (203). The rotation of the bevel gear (201) drives the spiral toothed ring (202) to rotate, thereby driving the petal-shaped rack (203) and the petal-shaped tube (301) to extend outward synchronously.

6. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted access as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The lobed racks (203) are provided in multiple ways, and each lobed rack (203) is provided with two connecting holes. They are connected to the lobed pipes (301) through pins (303) to achieve uniform force transmission and achieve the purpose of expansion.

7. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted access as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The opening mechanism (3) achieves synchronous movement of the valve tube (301) through the synchronous drive of the gear transmission assembly (2) to ensure the uniformity and safety of the opening operation. The valve tube (301) is made of medical surgical material with a radius of 5mm-30mm and has antibacterial properties to reduce the risk of postoperative infection.

8. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted access as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The fastening device (1) and the gear transmission assembly (2) are designed to be detachable, and the motor connected to the gear transmission assembly is also detachable, which facilitates quick disassembly, cleaning and reuse to meet the requirements of a sterile surgical environment.

9. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted access as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The petal-shaped rack (203) and petal-shaped tube (301) are configured as 4-8 multi-petal type.

10. An expandable neuroendoscopic-assisted access as described in claim 9, characterized in that: The overall structure adopts a modular design to be adjusted according to the size of the patient's skull and the needs of craniotomy, thereby improving applicability.

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