Cannula Assembly Single-Hand Control Arthroscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

In orthopedic surgery, the need for multiple hands and portals to control an endoscope and surgical tools simultaneously can be cumbersome, especially in procedures requiring precise manipulation and limited access, often necessitating additional personnel.

Innovation Solution

A cannula assembly that combines a scope tube with a tool tube, allowing a single hand to control both the endoscope and surgical tools through rotation and linear movement, reducing the number of required portals and hands needed during surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple portals and hands are used to control endoscope and surgical tools, then surgical precision and control are improved, but procedural complexity and personnel requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical control precisionVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate portals into a single integrated portal that accommodates both the endoscope and surgical tools. The endoscope and one or more surgical tools are inserted through the same portal, eliminating the need for multiple separate access points and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining surgical precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single portal is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it accommodates the endoscope for visualization and one or more surgical tools for intervention. This multi-functional portal reduces the number of required access points while maintaining all necessary surgical capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If multiple portals are created for endoscope and tool insertion, then access and control are improved, but the number of skin incisions and procedural invasiveness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical accessVSAvoidskin incisions

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple separate skin incisions are merged into a single incision that accommodates both the endoscope and surgical tools. This single portal approach reduces the number of skin incisions required while maintaining adequate access and control for surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional personnel are used to control endoscope and tools, then operational control is improved, but surgical efficiency and accessibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational controlVSAvoidsurgical efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The single portal design enables one operator to control both the endoscope and surgical tools simultaneously through a unified access point, improving surgical efficiency by eliminating the need for additional personnel while maintaining reliable operational control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11234583B2Apparatus for performing an arthroscopic surgical procedure

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 SNUG HARBOR ORTHOPEDICS LLC

AI summary

A cannula assembly can allow an operator in an arthroscopic surgical procedure to control both an arthroscope and a surgical tool with a single hand. In some embodiments, for example, a scope tube may be combined with a tool tube to allow such control. The tool may be manipulated, for example, by causing the tool to rotate, and/or to move forward and backward in relation to the cannula assembly.