Arthroscope Handpiece Integrating Fluidic and Optical Pathways
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional arthroscopic devices face challenges due to their concentric tube arrangement, requiring multiple hands to operate sub-devices like optical sensors and fluid management systems, which complicates procedures and increases the risk of leaks and user fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An arthroscope design featuring a handpiece with integrated electrical, optical, and fluidic pathways, including a shaft with lumens for fluid and electrical wires, and a control unit that maintains image orientation during rotation, allowing single-handed operation and eliminating the need for rotatable seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional concentric tube arrangement is used, then sub-devices can be provided, but multiple hands are required to operate sub-devices properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrical, optical, and fluidic pathways into a single integrated handpiece structure. The handpiece contains integrated electrical connectors, optical elements, and fluid channels that work together as a unified system, allowing all functions to be controlled from a single location without requiring multiple separate devices or hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The handpiece is designed as a universal control unit that performs multiple functions simultaneously - electrical power transmission, optical image transmission, fluid delivery, and suction are all integrated into one component. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate controls for each sub-device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If concentric tube arrangement is used, then required sub-devices can be provided, but rotatable seals are required which can cause leaks
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all pathways (electrical, optical, fluidic) into a single integrated handpiece structure, the patent eliminates the need for multiple rotatable seals that would be required in a concentric tube arrangement. The unified structure allows rotation without compromising seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the rotatable seal component entirely from the system. Instead of using seals to maintain pressure in concentric tubes, the design uses a unified handpiece structure with integrated pathways that does not require sealing during rotation, thereby removing the source of potential fluid leakage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple hands are required to operate sub-devices, then all sub-devices can be controlled, but user fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges all control functions into a single handpiece that can be operated with one hand. The integrated design allows the surgeon to control all sub-devices (optical, fluidic, electrical) from one location, eliminating the need to reach for separate controls with the other hand and reducing physical strain during prolonged procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, arthroscopic medical implements and assemblies and methods of operating arthroscopic medical implements and assemblies are provided. Devices, systems, and methods are described herein in connection with accessing a surgical site using an arthroscopic medical implement. In an exemplary implementation, an optical sensor of the arthroscopic medical implement can gather and output image data, and an inertial sensor of the arthroscopic medical implement can gather and output orientation data. The orientation data can be used to modify the gathered optical image to maintain a display of the gathered optical image in a predetermined desired orientation before, during, and after any rotation of the arthroscopic medical implement. The arthroscopic medical implement can also include at least one sensor configured to gather and output pressure and/or temperature.