Digital Extender with Haptic Feedback for Surgical Reach

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instruments limit a surgeon's dexterous manipulation and sensing, as they rely on the natural size and length of their digits, which can be unsafe and inefficient for procedures requiring extended reach or tactile feedback.

Innovation Solution

A digital extender platform with haptic feedback that mechanically extends the reach of a natural digit, incorporating a sensory component to detect environmental information and provide tactile feedback, allowing for safe and precise manipulation in medical scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If natural digits are used for surgical procedures, then dexterous manipulation is maintained, but reach is limited and patient safety is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereachVSAvoidpatient safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A mechanical extender device serves as an intermediary between the surgeon's natural digit and the distal surgical site. The device includes a proximal portion attached to the finger and a distal portion extending to perform surgical functions, thereby extending reach while maintaining safety through controlled mechanical transmission rather than direct digital exposure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The extender device is segmented into distinct portions: a proximal portion that interfaces with the natural digit, a distal portion that performs the surgical function at extended reach, and potentially articulation components. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall safety and dexterity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If specialized surgical instruments are used, then reach is extended, but dexterous manipulation is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereachVSAvoiddexterous manipulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical extender acts as an intermediary that preserves the natural dexterity of the surgeon's finger while extending reach. The distal portion replicates the motion and tactile feedback of the natural digit, allowing for fine manipulations at extended distances that would be impossible with rigid specialized instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device replaces rigid specialized instruments with a flexible mechanical extender system that can transmit tactile sensations and fine movements. The articulation components and flexible connections allow the distal portion to conform to anatomical structures while maintaining the surgeon's natural manipulative control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If natural digits are used for palpation, then tactile sensing is maintained, but scope is limited by digit size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetactile sensingVSAvoidscope

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical extender with integrated sensory components serves as an intermediary that extends the tactile sensing scope. The distal portion includes sensors that detect tactile, pressure, and temperature information at extended distances, which are then transmitted back to the surgeon's natural digit for interpretation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensory information from the distal environment is transmitted back to the surgeon's natural digit. This haptic feedback loop allows the surgeon to perceive tactile sensations, pressure changes, and temperature variations at extended reach, maintaining the same tactile sensing capability as natural digits but with extended scope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If digital intubation is performed with natural digits, then airway securing is achieved, but risk to provider digits is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway securingVSAvoidrisk to provider digits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical extender serves as a protective intermediary between the provider's natural digit and the patient's airway. The distal portion can be designed with protective coverings or sterile barriers that prevent direct contact between the provider's skin and the patient's mucous membranes, thereby maintaining airway securing capability while eliminating the risk of infection and digit injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 digital extender platform enhances the mechanical and sensory reach of a natural digit, enabling safer and more precise medical procedures by providing meaningful tactile feedback, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional surgical instruments.