Dual-Headed Surgical Instrument for Skull Base Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopic skull base surgery requires frequent instrument changes due to complex skull base anatomy, increasing surgery duration and error risk.
Innovation Solution
A dual-headed surgical instrument with tool heads angularly displaced at 60° and 150° from the longitudinal axis, allowing simultaneous access to different skull base regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used to access different skull base regions, then comprehensive access to all skull base regions is achieved, but surgery duration increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple surgical tool heads (first and second surgical tool heads) into a single dual-headed instrument. Each tool head is angled differently (60° and 150° from the longitudinal axis) to access different skull base regions, eliminating the need to switch between multiple separate instruments during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-headed surgical instrument performs multiple functions by incorporating different tool heads suited for different surgical tasks and access angles. The first tool head accesses anterior cranial fossa while the second tool head accesses middle and posterior cranial fossa, making one instrument capable of performing what previously required multiple specialized instruments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used to access different skull base regions, then comprehensive access to all skull base regions is achieved, but the number of instruments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate surgical instruments into a single dual-headed instrument. Instead of using separate instruments for anterior, middle, and posterior cranial fossa access, the invention integrates multiple tool heads into one unified instrument with an elongated handle portion, reducing the total number of instruments needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-headed instrument is designed as a universal tool that can perform various surgical functions at different skull base regions through its multiple angled tool heads, replacing the need for multiple specialized single-function instruments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used throughout the procedure, then access to multiple locations is achieved, but the possibility of error or accident increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple tool heads into a single integrated instrument, the patent reduces the number of times the surgeon must switch instruments, thereby reducing opportunities for errors or accidents associated with instrument changes while maintaining the ability to access multiple skull base locations.
Data Source
AI summary
The dual-headed surgical instrument is a surgical instrument with tool heads at either end for performing surgical procedures, such as, for example, skull base dissection. The dual-headed surgical instrument includes an elongated handle portion extending along a longitudinal axis. The elongated handle portion has opposed first and second ends. The first end of the elongated handle portion has a first surgical tool head and the second end of the elongated handle portion has a second surgical tool head. The first surgical tool head extends along a first tool axis which is angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis by 60°. The second surgical tool head extends along a second tool axis which is angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis by 150°. The first end of the elongated handle portion may be curved to define the 60° angle of the first tool axis.