Deflectable Tip Videoarthroscope with Replaceable Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional arthroscopic equipment, such as rod-lens arthroscopes, are limited by their linear design, which restricts 360-degree visualization, flexibility, and access to joint anatomy, leading to challenges in diagnosis and repair, and are prone to damage and image quality issues due to fragility and optical chain inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A 30-degree angled deflectable tip videoarthroscope with a miniaturized CCD and four-way angulations, featuring a replaceable distal window and a steering wheel for 360-degree rotation, allowing for improved access and visualization within the joint, and a two-position retractable sheath for flexible operation, integrated with a miniaturized CCD on the handle for enhanced image capture and reduced system downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rod-lens arthroscopes are used with fixed linear design, then the scope structure is simple and rigid, but the physician cannot achieve 360-degree visualization or flexible access to joint anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the rigid, fixed linear design into a flexible, deflectable tip structure that can dynamically adapt its orientation. The scope tip can bend and deflect to follow the curved anatomy of joint cavities, enabling 360-degree visualization while maintaining a relatively simple overall scope structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements another dimension by adding the deflection capability as an additional degree of freedom. Instead of relying solely on portal changes for different viewing angles, the scope tip itself can deflect in multiple directions, adding a spatial dimension to the visualization capability without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rigid arthroscopes are used, then the scope is easy to manufacture and sterilize, but the scope cannot navigate curved paths or reach all areas of the joint
Solution Approach 1:
The scope incorporates a flexible shaft with controlled deflection capabilities, allowing it to navigate curved paths within joint cavities. The deflection is achieved through a controlled mechanism that maintains manufacturing feasibility while enabling access to previously unreachable areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible materials and thin-film structures in the scope shaft construction, allowing the scope to bend and conform to curved anatomical paths while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability through established flexible material technologies.
3Productivity
If conventional optical chains with separate scope, light cable, and camera head are used, then each component can be optimized independently, but the system is cumbersome and requires assembly and sterilization of multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scope, light cable, and camera head into an integrated all-in-one unit. This eliminates the need for separate component assembly and sterilization, reducing surgical preparation time and complexity while maintaining the functional capabilities of each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated scope performs multiple functions simultaneously - illumination, image capture, and visualization - within a single unified device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate light cables and camera heads, streamlining the surgical workflow.
4Measurement precision
If rod-lens arthroscopes with tilted objective lenses are used, then the scope can be focused on specific planes, but the physician must use triangulation techniques and cannot easily orient to target areas
Solution Approach 1:
The scope tip can dynamically deflect to directly orient toward target areas within the joint, eliminating the need for triangulation techniques. The focused imaging capability is maintained through the deflected orientation, allowing precise visualization of target structures from optimal angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The scope tip follows curved paths to reach target areas, matching the natural curvature of joint anatomy. This curved navigation approach simplifies physician orientation compared to linear triangulation methods, while the focused imaging maintains measurement precision.
5Reliability
If conventional scopes are used, then the optical components are robust, but the scopes are prone to fogging, scratched lenses, and material build-up that reduce image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The scope employs hydrophobic thin-film coatings on optical surfaces that prevent fogging and material build-up. These thin film layers protect the optical components while maintaining image quality, addressing the reliability issues without compromising manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates disposable protective distal windows that can be replaced if scratched or damaged. This approach maintains high image quality by ensuring the optical path is always protected, while the low-cost disposable nature addresses reliability concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
A deflectable tip videoarthroscope of 5.4 mm diameter or smaller, comprising a miniaturized chip-in-tip CCD with four-way angulations mounted on the distal end of the arthroscope. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may be provided with a replaceable distal window made of a thin material (such as polycarbonate or acrylic) or a glass (sapphire or other) with very high light transmission properties, connected to a sheathing system that is disposable or limited-reusable, which could be discarded if a shaver burr or ablation probe contacts the lens. This design protects the distal window of the videoarthroscope during use and reduces scope repair costs and system down-time. The deflectable tip videoarthroscope may additionally include a steering wheel, which allows 360 degree rotation of the instrument during arthroscopic procedures. The videoarthroscope may further include an irrigation channel or a wireless imager control system.