Atraumatic Capsulotomy Instrument With Blunt Tip and Tissue Catch

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical instruments cause trauma to adjacent tissue during capsulotomy procedures due to their sharp tips and lack of effective tissue engagement mechanisms, leading to potential complications and prolonged operating times.

Innovation Solution

The development of surgical instruments with atraumatic features, including a blunt distal tip, cutting blades with hooks, and a catch mechanism to engage and retract tissue, minimizing trauma and improving surgical precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional sharp-tipped surgical instruments are used for capsulotomy, then cutting efficiency is improved, but trauma to adjacent cartilage and soft tissue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecutting efficiencyVSAvoidtrauma to adjacent tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument applies different geometric properties to different parts: the distal tip is blunt to protect cartilage, while the cutting blades maintain sharp edges for efficient incision. This localized differentiation allows the instrument to simultaneously avoid trauma to adjacent tissue while maintaining cutting efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument is divided into functionally distinct segments: a protective blunt distal tip portion and separate cutting blade portions. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the tip protects while the blades cut - resolving the contradiction between efficiency and tissue safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If traditional surgical instruments without tissue engagement mechanisms are used, then device complexity is reduced, but surgical control and precision are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument structureVSAvoidsurgical control

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument integrates multiple functions into a single device: the blunt distal tip provides both protection and tissue engagement capability, while the cutting blades perform both incision and tissue retraction. This multi-functionality enhances surgical control without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If traditional instruments without effective tissue retraction are used, then operating time increases, but device complexity remains low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating timeVSAvoidinstrument structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument merges the cutting function and tissue retraction function into a single integrated device. The cutting blades are positioned and configured to simultaneously incise capsular tissue and retract it, eliminating the need for separate retraction instruments and thereby reducing overall operating time without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250366882A1Atraumatic instruments and associated methods for capsulotomy

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 ARTHREX INC

AI summary

This disclosure relates to surgical instruments and methods for incising soft tissue. The instruments may include one or more atraumatic features for reducing a likelihood of trauma to adjacent tissue.