Braided Nasal Sheath with Teflon Coating for Microsurgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic surgery within the head faces challenges due to local trauma from surgical tools, fluid obstruction, and the need for frequent irrigation and endoscope replacement, which increases procedure complexity and recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A flexible braided access sheath made from hard plastic monofilaments, designed to protect the nasal passageway, guide surgical tools, and reduce friction with a lubricious surface, allowing unobstructed motion during microsurgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elastomer material is used for the access sheath, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but friction with surgical tools increases due to inherent tackiness
Solution Approach 1:
The access sheath combines elastomer material with a Teflon coating to create a composite structure that exhibits properties of both materials: the elastomer provides flexibility and comfort, while the Teflon coating reduces friction and eliminates tackiness, allowing surgical tools to slide smoothly
Solution Approach 2:
The Teflon coating acts as an intermediary layer between the elastomer sheath and surgical tools, preventing direct contact between the tacky elastomer surface and the tools, thereby reducing friction without compromising the flexibility of the sheath
2Strength
If rigid plastic material is used for the access sheath, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and ability to conform to nasal passageway decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The access sheath uses a composite structure combining rigid plastic monofilament braiding with flexible Teflon coating, where the braided plastic provides structural strength and the coating provides flexibility and lubricity
3Loss of information
If frequent irrigation and endoscope replacement are performed to clear obscuring fluids, then visual field clarity is improved, but procedure complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access sheath creates a separate, protected channel that extracts the endoscope from direct exposure to obscuring fluids in the surgical field, allowing the endoscope to remain clean and functional throughout the procedure without frequent interruptions for cleaning or replacement
4Adaptability or versatility
If surgical tools are frequently moved into and out of the surgical pathway, then surgical flexibility is improved, but tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access sheath is placed in advance to create a protected pathway through the nasal cavity, allowing multiple surgical tools to be introduced and manipulated through this pre-established channel without repeatedly exposing and traumatizing the surrounding tissues
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The braided access sheath minimizes tissue trauma, reduces fluid ingress, and maintains lubricity throughout the procedure, enhancing surgical precision and reducing recovery time by providing a clear visual field and smooth tool movement.
Implementation Method 1
The braided access sheath is expanded from a compressed delivery configuration to a deployed functional configuration
Implementation Method 2
be lubricious for the unobstructed motion of fine surgical tools during delicate micro surgery
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical sheath adapted for use in the nasal cavity has an elongated hollow body made of a braided material having interstitial spaces with a dimension of 0.25 mm to 1.50 mm. The interstitial spaces filled with a filling material, such as silicone. The sheath has a low profile configuration during placement into the naris, and may be stretched into an expanded configuration. In methods of placing the sheath in the naris, the sheath is folded and then pulled into the naris using a surgical tool.