Capsular Retraction via Radially Deployable Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments for arthroscopic procedures lack effective means to retract capsular tissue, leading to interference with burrs and shavers and suboptimal visualization during joint repair surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument featuring a cannulated shaft, handle, compression sleeve, and flexibly movable members with an actuating mechanism that deploys and retracts the members between operative and inoperative positions, providing improved tissue retraction and visualization by extending radially to create a clearer surgical workspace.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If current surgical instruments are used for arthroscopic procedures, then the procedure can be performed, but capsular tissue cannot be effectively retracted leading to interference with burrs and shavers and suboptimal visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction system is segmented into multiple independent flexibly moveable members (first, second, and third members) that can be deployed separately at different locations along the shaft. Each member can be independently controlled to retract specific portions of capsular tissue, allowing precise management of tissue interference without affecting the entire surgical field uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibly moveable members extend radially outward from the shaft in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis, creating a three-dimensional retraction structure. This radial deployment allows the members to engage capsular tissue from multiple angles and provide comprehensive retraction that prevents tissue interference with surgical tools operating in the joint space.
2Illumination intensity
If flexibly moveable members are deployed to retract capsular tissue, then visualization is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flexibly moveable members are nested within the shaft when inoperative, with each member contained within a corresponding opening in the shaft. The members can be deployed outward from the shaft like nested dolls being pulled outward, providing a compact storage solution that minimizes device complexity while enabling effective retraction when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexibly moveable members are designed to be moveable between inoperative and operative positions, allowing the device to dynamically adapt to surgical needs. The members can be deployed only when tissue retraction is required and retracted when not needed, providing visualization improvement on-demand without permanently increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If multiple flexibly moveable members are used for comprehensive tissue retraction, then surgical workspace is improved, but the actuating mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating mechanism is designed with universal functionality to control multiple different types of flexibly moveable members through a single integrated system. The mechanism can deploy and control the first, second, and third members using similar actuation principles, reducing the need for separate control systems for each member and simplifying the overall actuating mechanism while maintaining comprehensive retraction capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument, such as a capsular retractor, and methods of use are disclosed.