Adjustable soft clamp type device for protecting drumhead nerves during operation

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of medical instruments, in particular to an adjustable soft clamp type device for protecting drumhead nerves in an operation, which comprises a left side protection device and a right side protection device. The left side protection device and the right side protection device are both in a semi-cylindrical tubular shape, and one edge opening of the left side protection device is connected with one edge opening of the right side protection device. An insection groove is formed in the face, located inside the pipe, of the other edge opening of the left side protection device, and an insection protrusion is arranged on the face, located outside the pipe, of the other edge opening of the right side protection device. When the left side protection device and the right side protection device are folded, the insection protrusions are clamped in the insection grooves. The device has the advantages that the device is simple and easy to use, operation complexity is reduced, and operation time is saved; the drumhead nerve is highly protected, and the operation risk is reduced; the material has good biocompatibility, can protect the tympanic nerves during operation, and can prevent adhesion between the tympanic chamber and surrounding tissues after operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical device technology, and more specifically, to an adjustable soft clip device for protecting the chorda tympani nerve during surgery. Background Technology

[0002] The chord tympanic nerve (CTN) is a mixed nerve with both sensory and motor functions. Sensory function is reflected in its innervation of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue on the same side, enhancing the sensitivity of taste cells to sweet and salty tastes. Motor function is reflected in its presence of preganglionic parasympathetic axons that innervate the submandibular and sublingual glands, promoting saliva secretion from the salivary glands in the floor of the mouth.

[0003] The chorda tympani nerve (CTN) enters the middle ear at the level of the tympanic membrane ring, running medial to the handle of the malleus, with its tympanic segment completely exposed within the middle ear. In otolaryngological surgery, with the widespread use of endoscopic ear surgery, intraoperative bone shaving is increasingly employed, but this process easily damages the chorda tympani nerve. Studies have shown that approximately 15%-22% of patients with non-inflammatory middle ear lesions experience taste disturbances after intraoperative CTN injury, typically manifesting as intermittent metallic taste at the tip of the tongue on the same side. Postoperative follow-up studies of patients undergoing middle ear surgery abroad have revealed persistent taste changes in those with intraoperative CTN transection, accompanied by irreversible anatomical alterations, such as a permanent decrease in the number and volume of mushroom-shaped taste buds on the transection side, a significant reduction in neurons innervating individual taste buds, and an imbalance between taste bud volume and the number of innervating nerves.

[0004] Secondly, the compensatory mechanisms of peripheral nerves cannot fully restore the function of the severed side to the level before the nerve was severed. For patients who are chefs or sommeliers, even mild taste disturbances can seriously affect their work and life. The decline in quality of life due to taste loss during the recovery period should not be ignored. Based on patients' postoperative follow-up reports, the risk of various complications after CTN resection is extremely high, including taste disturbances and tongue paralysis, for which there are currently no effective treatments. While some patients experience a recovery of taste after CTN resection, this may be due to adaptive changes in the taste buds, not a true restoration of taste function. Therefore, it is crucial to preserve the integrity of the CTN during middle ear surgery to reduce postoperative disputes related to taste changes. Intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve is an important but challenging task.

[0005] Due to the lack of protective devices, relying solely on the surgeon's careful operation during the procedure carries certain risks and limitations. Therefore, a safer and more effective protective device is needed.

[0006] The preceding description is intended to provide general background information and does not necessarily constitute prior art. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an adjustable soft clip device for protecting the chorda tympani nerve during surgery. This adjustable soft clip device provides high protection for the chorda tympani nerve and reduces the risk of surgical damage to the chorda tympani nerve.

[0008] This utility model provides an adjustable soft clip device for protecting the chorda tympani nerve during surgery, including a left protective device and a right protective device; both the left and right protective devices are semi-cylindrical tubes, with one side opening of the left protective device connected to one side opening of the right protective device; the other side opening of the left protective device has a toothed groove on the inner side of the tube, and the other side opening of the right protective device has a toothed protrusion on the outer side of the tube; when the left and right protective devices are closed, the toothed protrusion engages in the toothed groove.

[0009] Furthermore, the left protective device and the right protective device are in an open state in their natural state.

[0010] Furthermore, the left protective device and the right protective device are integrally formed and connected.

[0011] Furthermore, the lengths of the left-side protective device and the right-side protective device are 7mm-20mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the left protective device and the right protective device are made of biocompatible materials.

[0013] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery is 0.5mm-1.5mm.

[0014] Furthermore, 20-60 toothed grooves are provided on the inner side of the tube of the left protective device.

[0015] This invention provides an adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve. The left and right protective devices are made of biocompatible materials, possessing sufficient strength and flexibility to be placed into the tympanic cavity through the external auditory canal. During surgery, the appropriate length is individually cut according to the length of the chorda tympani nerve. The open left and right protective devices are placed near the nerve through the external auditory canal and secured around it using a clamping device. The left and right protective devices merge around the nerve, with the toothed protrusions engaging in the toothed grooves. The device is individually adjustable according to the diameter of the chorda tympani nerve. This design forms a complete, tightly encircling, but not constricting, hollow cylinder, thus protecting the chorda tympani nerve from damage by surgical instruments. Multiple slots within the cylinder leave gaps to ensure blood supply to the chorda tympani, preventing ischemic necrosis caused by complete encirclement and constriction. After surgery, the biocompatible material does not need to be removed; the material is soluble and prevents postoperative adhesion between the chorda tympani nerve and surrounding tissues. For patients requiring a second surgery, it facilitates the location and separation of the chorda tympani nerve during the procedure, enabling secondary protection and saving surgical time. This invention is simple and easy to use, reducing surgical complexity; it provides high protection for the chorda tympani nerve, reducing surgical risks; the material has good biocompatibility and no side effects on patients. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the open state of an adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery.

[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the planar structure of an adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery.

[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the open state of an adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery.

[0020] The reference numerals and components involved in the accompanying drawings are shown below:

[0021] 100. Left-side protective device

[0022] 200. Right-side protection device

[0023] 300. Tooth groove

[0024] 400. Raised tooth pattern

[0025] 500. Chorus tympani nerve Detailed Implementation

[0026] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit its scope.

[0027] The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," etc., used in the specification and claims of this utility model are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. Example

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the open state of an adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery. Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the planar structure of an adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery. Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the open state of the adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery. Please refer to... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve provided in this embodiment of the utility model includes a left protective device 100 and a right protective device 200; both the left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 are semi-cylindrical tubes, and one side opening of the left protective device 100 is connected to one side opening of the right protective device 200; a toothed groove 300 is provided on the inner side of the other side opening of the left protective device 100, and a toothed protrusion 400 is provided on the outer side of the other side opening of the right protective device 200; when the left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 are closed, the toothed protrusion 400 is engaged in the toothed groove 300. Furthermore, the left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 are in an open state in their natural state. The left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 are made of biocompatible materials. The device uses polylactic acid, commonly known as PLA, which is a thermoplastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch, cassava root or sugarcane. It is a new type of biodegradable material with environmental protection, renewability and biodegradability. The inserted chorda tympani protective device does not need to be removed and can dissolve on its own, which can prevent the chorda tympani nerve from adhering to the surrounding tissues. For some patients who need a second operation, it is easy to find and separate the chorda tympani nerve, which plays a role in further protection and saving operation time.

[0029] This invention provides a soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve. The left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 are made of biocompatible materials, possessing sufficient strength and flexibility to be placed into the tympanic cavity through the external auditory canal. During surgery, the device is individually trimmed to an appropriate length according to the length of the chorda tympani nerve. The open left protective device 100 and right protective device 200 are then placed near the chorda tympani nerve through the external auditory canal. The left protective device 100 and right protective device 200 are then joined together around the chorda tympani nerve using otological microforceps. Based on the individual's chorda tympani nerve diameter, the toothed protrusion 400 engages within the toothed groove 300, forming a complete, just-encircling but not tightly constricted, hollow cylinder. This protects the chorda tympani nerve 500 from damage by surgical instruments. Multiple grooves with gaps ensure blood supply to the chorda tympani, preventing ischemic necrosis caused by complete encirclement and constriction. After surgery, the biocompatible material does not need to be removed. This invention is simple and easy to use, reducing surgical complexity; it highly protects the chorda tympani nerve, reducing surgical risks; the material has good biocompatibility and no side effects on patients.

[0030] Furthermore, the left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 of this utility model are integrally formed and connected.

[0031] Furthermore, the exposed length of the chorda tympani nerve 500 in the tympanic cavity is an average of 10.28 mm with a standard deviation of 2.10 mm. The diameter of the external auditory canal in a normal adult is about 7 to 8 mm. The lengths of the left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 of this invention are 7 mm to 20 mm, and the lengths can be trimmed according to the length of the individual chorda tympani nerve.

[0032] Furthermore, the inner diameter of the adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve of this invention can be adjusted (by the length of the combination of the toothed protrusion 400 and the toothed groove 300), and its inner diameter adjustment range is 0.5mm-1.5mm.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention provides 20-60 toothed grooves 300 on the inner side of the tube of the left protective device 100. It should be noted that the number of toothed grooves 300 can be calculated by adjusting the inner diameter within the range of 0.5mm-1.5mm to obtain the circumference. Then, the length of the partial circumference occupied by each toothed groove 300 can be calculated by using the central angle of the toothed groove 300. Finally, half of the circumference value can be divided by the length of the partial circumference occupied by each toothed groove 300 to calculate the number of toothed grooves 300.

[0034] As can be seen from the above description, the advantages of this utility model are:

[0035] This invention relates to a soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve. The left protective device 100 and the right protective device 200 are made of biocompatible materials, possessing sufficient strength and flexibility to be placed into the tympanic cavity through the external auditory canal. They dissolve during surgery to protect the chorda tympani nerve from damage and prevent postoperative adhesion between the nerve and surrounding tissues. For patients requiring secondary surgery, this saves time in locating and separating the nerve, further reducing the probability of nerve damage during a second surgery. During surgery, the open left protective device 100 and right protective device 200 are placed near the chorda tympani nerve through the external auditory canal, and the clipping device secures the left and right protective devices around the chorda tympani nerve 500. The 200 is merged around the chorda tympani nerve 500, and the dentate protrusion 400 is engaged in the dentate groove 300. Based on the individual diameter of the chorda tympani nerve, a complete, just-encircling but not tightly secured hollow cylinder is formed, thus protecting the chorda tympani nerve 500 from damage by surgical instruments. After surgery, the biocompatible material does not need to be removed; it dissolves spontaneously, preventing adhesion between the chorda tympani nerve and surrounding tissues. For patients requiring a second surgery, it facilitates the location and separation of the chorda tympani nerve, further protecting it and saving surgical time. This invention is simple and easy to use, reducing surgical complexity and saving surgical time. Individualized adjustments based on the length and diameter of the chorda tympani nerve reduce material waste. It highly protects the chorda tympani nerve, reducing surgical risks. The material has good biocompatibility, is absorbable, and has no side effects on patients.

[0036] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve, characterized in that, Includes a left-side protective device (100) and a right-side protective device (200); The left protective device (100) and the right protective device (200) are both semi-cylindrical tubes, and one side of the left protective device (100) is connected to one side of the right protective device (200). The left protective device (100) has a toothed groove (300) on the inner side of the tube, and the right protective device (200) has a toothed protrusion (400) on the outer side of the tube. When the left protective device (100) and the right protective device (200) are closed, the toothed protrusion (400) is engaged in the toothed groove (300).

2. The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The left protective device (100) and the right protective device (200) are in an open state in their natural state.

3. The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The left protective device (100) and the right protective device (200) are integrally formed and connected.

4. The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lengths of the left protective device (100) and the right protective device (200) are 7mm-20mm.

5. The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The left protective device (100) and the right protective device (200) are made of biocompatible materials.

6. The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the adjustable soft clip device used to protect the chorda tympani nerve during surgery is 0.5mm-1.5mm.

7. The adjustable soft clip device for intraoperative protection of the chorda tympani nerve according to claim 6, characterized in that, The left protective device (100) has 20-60 toothed grooves (300) on one side of the tube.

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