Oscillating Fibroid Morcellator Tip for Uterus-Preserving Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for uterine fibroids, such as hysterectomy and hysteroscopic resection, are invasive, require anesthesia, and pose risks like intravasation and discomfort, while pharmacological therapies are ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A tissue removal device with a housing, outer and inner tubes, and a drive mechanism for rotating and oscillating the inner tube, allowing for minimally invasive uterine fibroid removal without the need for anesthesia, using a tubular cutting element with controlled diameter and a coating to reduce tissue fusion risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hysterectomy is performed to remove uterine fibroids, then complete removal of fibroids is achieved, but loss of fertility and sexual dysfunction occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes only the fibroid tissue from the uterus while preserving the uterus itself. The morcellator device cuts fibroids into smaller pieces that can be removed through the cervix, eliminating the need to remove the entire uterus and thereby preserving fertility and sexual function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fibroid tissue is segmented into smaller pieces using the morcellator's cutting mechanism. This segmentation allows complete removal of fibroids through a minimally invasive approach via the cervix, avoiding the need for hysterectomy while achieving complete fibroid removal.
2Ease of operation
If hysteroscopic resection is performed to remove fibroids, then minimally invasive approach is used, but fluid distension is required which leads to intravasation risks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful fluid distension step from the hysteroscopic resection process. By using a transcervical morcellation approach without requiring uterine distension, the device eliminates the risk of fluid intravasation while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
3Ease of operation
If hysteroscopic resection is performed to remove fibroids, then fibroids can be removed through cervix, but procedure costs increase due to hospital setting and anesthesia requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a disposable, single-use morcellator device that eliminates the need for expensive reusable hysteroscopes and associated equipment. The disposable nature reduces sterilization costs and allows the procedure to be performed in outpatient settings without requiring expensive hospital infrastructure.
4Ease of operation
If uterine artery embolization is performed to treat fibroids, then less invasive procedure is used, but pain-related post-surgical complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful ischemic effect from the treatment process. By mechanically removing fibroids rather than embolizing blood vessels, the device eliminates post-surgical pain and complications associated with tissue necrosis from blocked blood supply, while maintaining minimal invasiveness.
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 safe and effective uterine fibroid removal with reduced patient discomfort and risk, facilitating procedures in outpatient settings.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism for rotating the inner tube relative to the outer tube and, at the same time, for translationally oscillating the inner tube relative to the outer tube so that the distal end of the inner tube rotates while moving back and forth across the resection window
Implementation Method 2
said drive mechanism comprises a drive shaft shaped to include a double helical groove
Data Source
AI summary
A uterine fibroid tissue removal device includes an inner tube disposed within an outer tube and configured to be translated and rotated relative to the outer tube, and a separately formed unitary distal tip member attached to a distal end of the inner tube, such that the distal tip member translates and rotates relative to the outer tube along with the inner tube, wherein a distal facing open cutting end of the distal tip member in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the distal tip member translates across a tissue resection window in a sidewall of the outer tube so as to sever tissue extending therethrough, the distal tip member axial lumen being in fluid communication with an axial lumen of the inner tube, wherein an outer diameter of the distal tip member is greater than an outer diameter of the inner tube.