Disposable Plastic Guide for Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical guides for endoscopic procedures, typically made of stainless steel, face sterility issues and risk of detachment during surgeries, limiting visualization and increasing infection risks due to their non-disposable nature and friction-based attachment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A disposable, sterile guide constructed of medically-acceptable plastic that compartmentalizes and protects ligaments or fascia during procedures like ECTR, ECuTR, and EPFR, allowing for improved visualization and reduced infection risk by being pre-sterilized and reducing the risk of damage to surrounding anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If stainless steel guides are used, then durability and reusability are improved, but sterility maintenance and infection risk become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by making the surgical guide from plastic that can be sterilized and discarded after a single use, eliminating the infection risk associated with reusing metal guides while maintaining adequate durability for the procedure
2Device complexity
If friction-based attachment is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of piece attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into multiple pieces that connect through simple friction-based interfaces, where each segment can be independently positioned and secured without complex fastening mechanisms, balancing simplicity with adequate reliability for the surgical procedure
3Loss of time
If smaller incisions are used, then patient recovery time is reduced, but visualization of the affected area deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical guide acts as an intermediary structure that provides mechanical stabilization and positioning of surgical instruments within the limited incision space, enabling precise control and improved visualization of the surgical field despite the small access portal
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable, sterile guide constructed of medically-acceptable plastic used for compartmentalizing and therefore protecting the ligament or fascia during three different orthopedic surgical procedures: ECTR, ECuTR, and EPFR. This device reduces the risk of damage to any other part of the surrounding anatomy. The device is disposable and packaged so as to be sterile and therefore readily usable by the surgeon means that it can reduce the risk of infection and is a less expensive alternative to traditional non-disposable, metal instruments that must be sterilized prior to each procedure.