Curved Tool Sheath Guidance for Single-Burr-Hole Brain Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current neurosurgical procedures for treating deep-seated brain tumors, such as Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT), are limited by the use of straight trajectories that fail to effectively ablate tumors with complex geometries, requiring multiple burr holes and increasing operation time and risk of infection.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a flexible tool sheath guided by deformable guides, allowing existing surgical tools to be steered along curved trajectories using a three-tube design, including a delivery sleeve, a tool sheath, and deformable first and second guides, enabling precise access to surgical sites without interfering with imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If straight trajectory tools are used for laser ablation, then the surgical procedure is simple to perform, but the ability to reach tumor margins with complex geometries is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the surgical tool by using a precurved cannula instead of a straight trajectory tool. The cannula is pre-bent at a specific angle (e.g., 30 degrees) to allow it to follow a curved path through the bone and reach deep-seated brain tumors that are not accessible via straight trajectories, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and adaptability to complex tumor geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through a mechanism that allows the cannula's curvature to be modified during surgery. The cannula can be adjusted between different curvature states (e.g., straight and precurved) depending on the surgical requirements, enabling the surgeon to adapt the tool's trajectory to match the specific geometry of the tumor while maintaining ease of operation
2Reliability
If multiple burr holes are created to access different tumor regions, then complete tumor ablation is achieved, but operation time and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
By using a precurved cannula that can navigate along a curved trajectory through a single burr hole, the patent enables access to multiple tumor regions without creating additional burr holes. This maintains complete tumor ablation while reducing operation time and infection risk associated with multiple surgical openings
3Reliability
If multiple burr holes are created for repeated ablation, then complete tumor damage is achieved, but risk of infection and complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The precurved cannula allows the surgeon to reach all tumor margins through a single curved trajectory from one burr hole, eliminating the need for multiple surgical openings. This reduces the risk of infection and complications while ensuring complete tumor damage through extended access to all tumor regions
4Adaptability or versatility
If active cannulas with concentric tubes are used for steerable motion, then dexterous access to curved paths is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential curvature function from complex active cannulas by using a simple precurved single-tube design. Instead of employing multiple concentric superelastic tubes with rotation and translation capabilities, the invention uses a single cannula pre-bent at a specific angle, achieving the necessary curved path access while dramatically reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies curvature only where needed - in the distal portion of the cannula that needs to navigate the curved trajectory - while keeping the proximal portion straight for easy insertion and control. This localized application of curvature achieves steerable motion capability without the complexity of making the entire cannula system actively steerable
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for guiding surgical tools to a surgical site, and more particularly, to systems and methods for guiding a tool sheath of a delivery system to a surgical site such as a location in a subject's brain and associated surgical procedures.