Endoscopic Blade Shield for Tissue Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

During endoscopic surgery, there is a need to prevent damage to overlying tissues when dividing target tissues, as existing instruments lack a component to protect these adjacent tissues from the cutting instrument.

Innovation Solution

An endoscopic surgical blade assembly with a shield component attached to the top edge of the blade, extending horizontally in the proximal and distal directions, and laterally, to intervene between the target tissue and overlying tissue, preventing damage during the division procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a cutting instrument is used to divide target tissue during endoscopic surgery, then the target tissue can be precisely divided, but overlying tissues adjacent to the target tissue may be damaged by the cutting instrument

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of tissue divisionVSAvoiddamage to overlying tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shield component is introduced as an intermediary element between the cutting instrument and the overlying tissues. The shield attaches to the top surface of the cutting instrument and extends beyond the cutting edge, creating a protective barrier that allows the cutting instrument to precisely divide the target tissue while preventing contact with and damage to the overlying tissues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield component extends in multiple dimensions beyond the cutting edge of the blade, including laterally and in the proximal-distal direction. This multi-dimensional extension creates a protective zone that prevents the cutting instrument from damaging overlying tissues while maintaining precise cutting capability at the blade edge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If a shield component is added to protect overlying tissues, then tissue safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of surgical procedureVSAvoidcomplexity of cutting instrument

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield component is merged with the cutting instrument by attaching it to the top surface of the blade. This integration creates a unified device where the shield and cutting instrument work together as a single system, improving safety without requiring separate protective devices or complex multi-component assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shield component serves multiple functions: it protects overlying tissues from damage, maintains precise positioning of the cutting instrument, and can be designed to fit various endoscopic cutting instruments. This multi-functionality improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11534195B2Shield for endoscopic surgical blade and method of use

Publication Date: 2022.12.27 AM SURGICAL INC

AI summary

A shield component for an endoscopic surgical blade is disclosed. An endoscopic surgical blade assembly is disclosed. The endoscopic surgical blade assembly contains an endoscopic surgical blade having a distal end, a proximal end, a top edge, a bottom edge and one or more cutting surfaces at the distal end, and a protective shield attached to the blade above the one or more cutting surfaces and extending away from the distal end of the blade. The blade is structurally configured for attachment to the distal end of an endoscope.