Cranial Anchoring System with Flexible Membrane for Tool Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive brain surgery systems for accessing the brain through a burr hole lack simplicity, security, and flexibility in tool placement, often requiring complex mechanisms for securing and maneuvering cannulas or tools.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a grommet fixed to the skull, a resilient clip with grasping jaws, and a flexible membrane that allows for secure and tiltable cannula or tool placement, using friction fit, detents, or fasteners for attachment, and a flexible membrane for tilting the tool during surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a complex guide tube mount with ball joints and spherical sockets is used to allow angular play, then flexibility in tool placement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that can deform to accommodate tilting of the cannula or tool within the grommet. This membrane allows angular adjustment without requiring complex mechanical joints, achieving flexibility through material compliance rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient clip changes its grasping force parameter to secure the cannula or tool firmly while allowing controlled tilting. The clip's resilience enables it to maintain secure attachment while accommodating angular adjustments, providing adaptability without complex mechanisms.
2Reliability
If a resilient clip with grasping jaws is used to firmly grasp the cannula or tool, then security of attachment is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient clip is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the surgeon to open and close the grasping jaws as needed. The resilience of the clip enables easy opening for insertion while maintaining firm grasping once closed, balancing security with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient clip automatically secures the cannula or tool through its elastic properties, requiring minimal manual intervention. Once the cannula is inserted, the clip's resilience causes it to close and grasp the tool firmly without additional fastening steps, improving ease of operation while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If the grommet is secured to the skull with multiple attachment methods, then reliability of fixation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet is designed with multiple attachment mechanisms (friction fit, detents, and fastener options) that can be selected based on the specific surgical needs. This multi-functionality allows the same grommet design to provide reliable fixation through different methods without requiring multiple specialized components, maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliability.
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
Enables simple, secure, and flexible placement and tilting of cannulas or tools, preventing unintended movement and allowing access to various brain areas, while maintaining secure attachment to the skull.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient clip with grasping jaws adapted to firmly grasp a cannula or tool
Implementation Method 2
The flexible membrane allows tilting of the cannula or tool, upon application of light force applied by a surgeon
Implementation Method 3
The grommet may be secured to the skull with a friction fit into the skull opening
Data Source
AI summary
An anchoring system for cannulas or tools to be inserted into a surgical workspace in the body, particularly the brain, of a patient. The system comprises a mounting ring which may be fixed to the skull to both secure the system to the skull and protect the skull opening from passage of cannulas and tools, a resilient clip with grasping jaws adapted to firmly grasp a cannula or tool, and a flexible membrane secured to the outer rim of the mounting ring and the clip.