Integrated Endoscope Balloon Catheter for Sinus Dilation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures for accessing and dilating paranasal sinuses often require the removal or modification of normal anatomical structures, which can be invasive and complex, especially for physicians new to the techniques, and existing systems can be cumbersome and require assistance.

Innovation Solution

A system of combined surgical instruments, including a guide and balloon catheter coupled with a handle, allowing for single-handed operation, with optional integration of a guidewire and endoscope, enabling minimally invasive dilation of paranasal sinus openings with reduced need for anatomical structure modification and simplified procedure execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional rigid surgical instruments are used for FESS procedures, then the surgeon can effectively remove diseased tissue and enlarge sinus ostia, but the procedure requires removal or modification of normal anatomical structures (such as total uncinectomy) to allow visualization and access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of sinus drainage restorationVSAvoidinvasiveness and complexity of procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the endoscope and surgical instruments into an integrated system where the endoscope is coupled with the rigid surgical instruments. This merging allows the surgeon to maintain direct line-of-sight visualization while using rigid instruments for effective tissue removal and sinus ostium enlargement, eliminating the need for total uncinectomy and reducing procedural invasiveness while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The endoscope serves as an intermediary that provides visual guidance and feedback during the surgical procedure. By coupling the endoscope with the surgical instruments, the system enables the surgeon to visualize deep anatomical structures without requiring extensive removal of normal anatomy, thus reducing invasiveness while maintaining the ability to effectively treat sinus pathology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate surgical instruments are used during FESS procedures, then comprehensive surgical tasks can be performed, but the procedure becomes cumbersome and requires assistant assistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensiveness of surgical capabilitiesVSAvoidprocedural complexity and need for assistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate surgical instruments and the endoscope into a single integrated system that can be held and controlled by one hand. This combination maintains comprehensive surgical capabilities for tissue removal, cauterization, and sinus ostium enlargement while eliminating the need for multiple separate instrument manipulations and assistant assistance, thus reducing procedural complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If rigid surgical instruments are used to access deep sinus structures, then effective dissection and tissue removal can be performed, but the uncinate process must be removed or modified to allow instrument insertion and visualization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of sinus dissection and tissue removalVSAvoidease of instrument insertion and visualization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the endoscope with rigid surgical instruments in an integrated system, allowing the surgeon to maintain direct line-of-sight visualization while using rigid instruments for efficient tissue removal. This merging eliminates the need for uncinate process removal as the integrated system provides both visualization and surgical capability through a single access path, improving ease of operation while maintaining dissection efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easier, less invasive access and dilation of paranasal sinus openings, reducing procedural complexity and allowing single-user operation, thereby improving efficiency and accessibility for both experienced and novice physicians.

Implementation Method 1

the balloon catheter is expandable from a compressed state to a dilated state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic expansion: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8414473B2Methods and apparatus for treating disorders of the ear nose and throat

Publication Date: 2013.04.09 ACCLARENT INC

AI summary

A device for dilating an ostium of a paranasal sinus of a human or animal subject may include: a handle; an elongate shaft having a proximal end coupled with the handle and extending to a distal end; a guidewire disposed through at least a portion of the shaft lumen; a dilator having a non-expanded configuration and an expanded configuration; and a slide member coupled with at least one of the guidewire or the dilator through the longitudinal opening of the shaft for advancing the guidewire and/or the dilator relative to the shaft.