Articulating Needle With Serrated Shaft For Meniscal Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arthroscopic knee procedures face challenges in accessing and repairing meniscal tissue due to the complex nature of the knee joint and the rigidity of surgical instruments, which can interfere with anatomical structures like the ACL and MCL during meniscal repair.
Innovation Solution
An articulating needle with partial cuts or serrations along its shaft allows for bending, enabling controlled curvature to access difficult-to-reach areas of the meniscal tissue by compressing uncut segments and utilizing a rotating knob for selective articulation, allowing for precise insertion angles without interfering with nearby anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid curved needle is used for meniscal repair, then piercing capability is improved, but interference with anatomical structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle transitions from a fixed rigid curve to a dynamically adjustable curve. The articulating section with partial cuts allows the needle to change its curvature dynamically during insertion, enabling the surgeon to adapt the needle's path to avoid anatomical structures like the ACL and MCL while maintaining piercing capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle's curvature parameter is made variable rather than fixed. By applying force to the pull strip, the degree of articulation changes, allowing the needle to transition between straight and curved configurations. This parameter change enables optimization of both piercing capability and avoidance of anatomical interference.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a straight needle is used for insertion, then avoidance of anatomical structures is improved, but piercing capability of meniscal tissue decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle maintains a straight configuration during initial insertion to avoid anatomical structures, then dynamically articulates to a curved configuration at the target site to enhance piercing capability. This dynamic transformation allows the needle to optimize its shape according to the specific surgical requirement at each stage.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid needle is used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different insertion angles decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is segmented into a rigid portion and an articulating portion with partial cuts. The rigid portion maintains structural stability during insertion, while the articulating portion with its segmented structure (uncut segments separated by partial cuts) enables angular adaptation. This segmentation allows different parts of the needle to fulfill different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure that can adjust its angle. The articulating section allows the needle to adapt to various insertion angles required for accessing different zones of the meniscus, including anterior and posterior regions, while the rigid portion maintains overall structural integrity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible needle is used, then adaptability to different angles is improved, but piercing capability of firm meniscal tissue decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the needle have different mechanical properties. The articulating portion with partial cuts provides flexibility for angular adaptation, while the uncut segments and rigid portion maintain sufficient stiffness for piercing. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the needle to simultaneously achieve adaptability and piercing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle's flexibility is dynamically controlled rather than being permanently flexible. The articulating section remains relatively stiff until force is applied to the pull strip, at which point it becomes flexible enough to articulate. This dynamic control allows the needle to maintain piercing capability while gaining angular adaptability when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
An arthroscopic needle having partial cuts or serrations along one side of a circular, hollow needle shaft allows the needle to bend, or articulate, by drawing a pull strip bar, defined by a thin strip along the interior side closet to the serrations in the hollow shaft, for compressing along the cuts to draw uncut segments into closer arrangement for curving the needle in the direction of the compressed side. The selectively articulating, or "bendable" needle that curves in response to a rotating knob provides for insertion of surgical attachment anchors in difficult-to-reach areas of meniscal tissue. The disclosed articulating needle has the ability to bend and access more anterior and posterior zones of meniscal repairs than conventional rigid needle approaches.