Dilating Obturator and Cannula for Minimally Invasive Brain Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and performing surgery within the brain is challenging due to its delicate nature and the protective skull, requiring invasive techniques that can be risky and not suitable for all patients, with existing methods often causing trauma to brain tissue and limiting access to certain areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for atraumatic dilation of brain tissue using a dilating obturator and cannula assembly, guided by image guidance systems, allowing for gentle expansion of brain tissue to create a working space for surgery while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue, and enabling access through smaller openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional invasive surgical techniques are used to access brain tissue, then access to target tissue is achieved, but trauma to brain tissue and risk of collateral damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the access device by using a dilating obturator with a blunt tip that gradually expands brain tissue rather than penetrating it. This parameter change from sharp penetration to gradual dilation reduces tissue trauma while achieving access to the target site
Solution Approach 2:
The dilating obturator serves as an intermediary device between the surgeon and the brain tissue. It creates a gradual transition zone that allows access to deep brain structures without direct traumatic contact, mediating the interaction between surgical tools and delicate neural tissue
2Object-affected harmful factors
If smaller openings are used to access the brain, then invasiveness is reduced, but surgical versatility and access to certain brain areas are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator device is designed to be dynamic in its function - it can be inserted through a small opening and then actively dilated to expand the access channel. This dynamic transformation allows the system to transition from a minimally invasive insertion phase to a versatile surgical access phase, overcoming the limitation of small initial openings
Solution Approach 2:
The access system is segmented into multiple functional components: the initial small opening, the dilating obturator, and the final expanded access channel. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the small opening minimizes initial trauma, while the dilating mechanism provides subsequent versatility
3Measurement precision
If image guidance systems are used to guide the procedure, then precision and safety are improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dilating obturator system is designed to be compatible with multiple imaging modalities (CT, MRI, fluoroscopy), making it a universal device that can work with different image guidance systems. This multi-functionality allows the same device to achieve precise targeting regardless of which imaging system is used, without requiring device modification
Data Source
AI summary
Less invasive surgical techniques for performing brain surgery are disclosed in which a dilating obturator and cannula assembly is inserted into brain tissue until the obturator tip and cannula are adjacent to the target tissue. The obturator is removed and surgery is performed through the cannula. In preferred embodiments the obturator and cannula are placed using image guidance techniques and systems to coordinate placement with pre-operative surgical planning. A stylet with associated image guidance may be inserted prior to insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly to guide insertion of the obturator and cannula assembly. Surgery preferably is performed using an endoscope partially inserted into the cannula with an image of the target tissue projected onto a monitor. Dilating obturator structures having a rounded or semi-spherical tip and/or an optical window for visualizing brain tissue during expansion are contemplated.