Endoscopic Targeting Device for Hollow Needle Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopy systems for minimal-invasive spinal surgery face challenges in accurately aligning and placing a hollow needle for creating a second access into the intervertebral space, often requiring experienced personnel and x-ray or ultrasound control, which increases the risk of incorrect piercings.
Innovation Solution
A targeting device with multiple hollow needle guides, each extending towards a viewing region at different polar angles, is integrated with an endoscopy unit. This device ensures precise alignment of the hollow needle by allowing selection of the appropriate guide, reducing the need for additional imaging controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple hollow needle guides are provided at different polar angles, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The targeting device is segmented into multiple hollow needle guides (first, second, third guides) arranged at different polar angles relative to the endoscopy longitudinal axis. Each guide provides a predetermined alignment path, allowing the surgeon to select the appropriate guide based on the desired insertion angle without needing to manually align the needle, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular guide structures.
2Measurement precision
If x-ray and ultrasound control are used for hollow needle placement, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow needle guides are pre-configured with specific polar angles and spatial orientations before the surgical procedure. This preliminary arrangement of guides eliminates the need for real-time imaging guidance during needle insertion, as the guides themselves provide the precise alignment. The surgeon simply selects the appropriate pre-configured guide and inserts the needle along its path, dramatically reducing procedure time while maintaining placement precision.
3Ease of operation
If the hollow needle guide is open towards one azimuthal side over its entire length, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each hollow needle guide is segmented into a tubular structure with an azimuthal opening that extends over its entire length. This segmentation allows the guide to be manufactured as a discrete component with precise geometric features, including the controlled azimuthal opening that facilitates needle insertion while maintaining structural integrity. The segmented design enables easier manufacturing and assembly compared to monolithic structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A targeting device (9) for the targeted guidance of a hollow needle (17) with an endoscopic-surgical operation. The targeting device (9) is fastened or can be fastened to an endoscopy unit (1) which extends essentially in an endoscopy longitudinal axis (L) and defines a viewing region (11). The targeting device (9) defines a plurality of hollow needle guides (21). Each of the hollow needle guides (21) each extends towards the viewing region (11) along a different polar angle (θ) with respect to the endoscope longitudinal axis (L). Each of the hollow needle guides (21) is open towards one of its two azimuthal sides over its entire length.