Endoscope with Piezoelectric Tip for Single-Incision Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopy systems face challenges in performing minimally invasive procedures, particularly in orthopedic and arthroscopic surgeries, due to limitations in visualizing and accessing internal tissues without causing significant tissue damage or requiring multiple incisions.
Innovation Solution
The development of an endoscopy system incorporating a sheath with a deformable distal portion, an image sensor, an illuminating element, and a working channel with a piezoelectric element or a hooked blade, allowing for precise tissue puncture or incision through a single incision, utilizing a piezoelectric element to move a working tip for microfracture procedures and a hooked blade for carpal tunnel surgery, and stylets to adjust the endoscope's tip for improved visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional endoscope is used to visualize internal tissues, then visualization is achieved, but multiple incisions or large openings are required to access and manipulate tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines visualization (image sensor), illumination (illuminating element), and tissue manipulation (working channel with piezoelectric element or hooked blade) functions into a single integrated endoscope system. This merging allows all necessary functions to be performed through one small incision, eliminating the need for multiple incisions while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope system is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating imaging, illumination, and various surgical capabilities (microfracture via piezoelectric element, ligament cutting via hooked blade) within a single device. This universal design enables the system to perform multiple functions through one access point, reducing tissue damage while maintaining operational ease.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used to perform different surgical functions, then functional versatility is achieved, but device complexity and number of incisions increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple surgical functions are merged into a single endoscope system. The working channel can accommodate different tools (piezoelectric element for bone microfracture, hooked blade for ligament cutting), allowing the system to perform diverse surgical functions without requiring separate instruments or additional incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the working channel is disposed within the lumen of the endoscope, and various surgical tools (piezoelectric element, hooked blade) can be inserted into and advanced through the working channel. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to be contained within a single device structure, reducing overall complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid working channel is used to advance surgical tools, then tool stability is achieved, but the ability to navigate through deformable tissue is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The working channel is designed with dynamic properties, being distensible to allow surgical tools to advance past the image sensor while maintaining structural integrity. This dynamic design enables the working channel to adapt its shape and size as needed, providing both stability for tool advancement and flexibility for navigating through tissue.
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
Enables minimally invasive procedures like microfracture surgery and carpal tunnel surgery with reduced tissue damage and invasiveness, allowing for single-incision access to internal tissues, enhancing surgical precision and reducing recovery time.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric element can be configured to move the working tip when electricity is applied to the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, endoscopy systems and/or methods of using endoscopy systems are described. In some embodiments, an endoscopy system comprises one or more of piezoelectric elements or hooked blades. In some embodiments, stylets for use with an endoscopy system are described. In some embodiments, the endoscopy systems are useful for orthopedic procedures. In some embodiments, the endoscopy systems are useful for arthroscopic procedures.