Dual-Angle Cannula for Varicose Vein Ablation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical techniques for varicose vein ablation, such as radiofrequency and laser ablation, face challenges including excessive skin incisions, risk of vein perforation, and incomplete vein compression, leading to potential nerve damage and recurrence of varicose veins due to the use of traditional sharp or straight cannulas.

Innovation Solution

A dual-angle configuration cannula with a blunt tip and a tubular needle design that allows for efficient injection of tumescent anesthesia around varicose veins, minimizing skin incisions and reducing the risk of vein perforation by using a closed blunt tip and strategically angled sections to facilitate rotation and alignment with the vein, thereby enhancing vein compression and reducing tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional straight sharp or straight cannula is used for vein ablation, then the procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but excessive skin incisions are required and the risk of vein perforation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandard equipment compatibilityVSAvoidskin incisions and vein perforation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula incorporates a curved section that allows the tip to be positioned at an angle relative to the shaft, enabling the tip to be oriented parallel to the vein while the shaft remains accessible from below. This curvature eliminates the need for multiple skin incisions and reduces vein perforation risk by allowing precise angular positioning during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The cannula is designed with rotational capability, allowing the curved section to rotate relative to the shaft during insertion. This dynamic adjustment enables the tip to be oriented at various angles to match the vein's orientation, improving insertion accuracy while maintaining standard equipment compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a traditional straight cannula is used, then the device structure is simple, but incomplete vein compression occurs leading to recurrence of varicose veins

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula structureVSAvoidvein compression completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The curved section allows the cannula tip to be positioned parallel to the vein, enabling complete compression of the vein along its entire length. This angular positioning ensures that the vein is fully compressed against the surrounding tissue, preventing recurrence while maintaining relatively simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If a traditional straight cannula is used for vein ablation, then the procedure is straightforward, but nerve damage risk increases due to lack of precise alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidnerve damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational capability of the curved section allows the operator to dynamically adjust the tip orientation to match the vein's angle, providing precise alignment that avoids nerves. This dynamic adjustment maintains procedure simplicity while significantly reducing nerve damage risk through accurate positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The curved section enables the tip to be oriented parallel to the vein, allowing the operator to insert the cannula with the tip aligned with the vein's trajectory. This geometric configuration provides precise alignment that avoids surrounding nerves while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If multiple skin incisions are made for cannula insertion, then access to the vein is achieved, but tissue damage and patient discomfort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevein accessVSAvoidtissue damage and patient discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The curved section allows the cannula to be inserted through a single skin incision with the tip oriented parallel to the vein. This single incision approach provides adequate vein access while minimizing tissue damage and patient discomfort compared to multiple incisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS20240189506A1Infiltration cannula with dual angle configuration

Publication Date: 2024.06.13 KG SURGICAL INSTR LLC

AI summary

A blunt-tipped cannula needle for injection of fluid into a subcutaneous tissue around a vein. The cannula needle includes a tubular side wall having three straight sections, each having a central axis. A second central axis of the central axes is angled away from a first central axis of the central axes at a first preselected angle in a first plane. A third central axis of the central axes is angled away from the second central axis at a combination of a preselected second angle and a preselected third angle, such that the third central axis is effectively angled away from the second central axis both at the second angle in the first plane and at the third angle in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. A plurality of apertures in a distal end section of the needle that face the second central axis.