Deflectable Surgical Shaver Tool for Sinus Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical shaver tools are rigid and require physicians to switch between multiple blades with fixed curvatures to navigate the varied anatomical structures within sinus cavities during ENT surgeries, leading to inefficiency and potential patient harm, as well as increased surgical costs due to the need for multiple disposable and sterilizable instruments.

Innovation Solution

A surgical shaver tool with a deflectable blade that can change curvature via an actuator mechanism, allowing for navigation of complex anatomical structures without the need to switch blades, featuring a rotatable cutting shaft and outer sheath with interlocking ribs and wires that control deflection, enabling precise access to different surgical sites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple blades with fixed curvatures are used to navigate varied anatomical structures, then the ability to access different sinus cavities is improved, but the device complexity and surgical time increase due to the need to switch between multiple instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to access different sinus cavitiesVSAvoidnumber of instruments required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade is designed with a deflectable portion that can dynamically change its curvature in response to actuation forces, allowing a single blade to adapt to various anatomical structures instead of requiring multiple fixed-curvature blades

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single blade assembly is designed to perform multiple functions by deflecting to different curvatures, replacing the need for multiple specialized blades with fixed curvatures for different sinus cavities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple disposable blades are used to navigate complex anatomical structures, then the versatility of the surgical tool is improved, but the surgical cost increases due to the need for multiple disposable instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility of surgical toolVSAvoidsurgical cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The blade assembly is designed as a universal tool that can access different sinus cavities through deflection, eliminating the need to purchase and use multiple disposable blades for different anatomical structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple blades with fixed curvatures are required to navigate sinus cavities, then the ability to reach different surgical sites is improved, but the surgical efficiency decreases due to the time required to switch between blades

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to reach different surgical sitesVSAvoidsurgical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The blade incorporates a deflectable portion that can be actuated to change curvature during the procedure, allowing the surgeon to access different surgical sites with a single blade without the time-consuming process of switching between multiple fixed-curvature blades

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 tool allows for efficient navigation and precise access to various sinus cavities without blade replacement, reducing patient risk and surgical costs by enabling curvature adjustment during procedures, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and reducing the need for multiple disposable blades.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion that is deflectable... The first wire and the second wire are configured to extend on opposite sides of the outer sheath, and are configured to control deflection of the deflectable portion when the actuator is rotated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3403602B1Deflectable shaver tool
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 BIOSENSE WEBSTER (ISRAEL) LTD
  • EP3403602B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3403602B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3403602B1 patent drawingFigure 3C~3D

AI summary

A deflectable surgical shaver tool comprises a blade with a rotatable cutting shaft comprising a distal cutting end and a proximal non-cutting end, a fixed outer sheath coaxially surrounding the rotatable cutting shaft, a cutting window at the distal cutting end, and at least a portion that is deflectable. The surgical shaver tool may further comprise an actuator; a handpiece; and a first wire and a second wire, each operatively coupled to the actuator at a proximal end and to the deflectable section at an opposite distal end. The first wire and the second wire are configured to control deflection of the deflectable portion when the actuator is manipulated. This configuration allows for the curvature of the blade to be changed for more efficient surgical procedures and prevents harm to the patient.