Flared Prow Cannula for Tissue Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic carpal tunnel release procedures face challenges such as postoperative pain, morbidity, and the risk of unintended tissue damage due to the design of existing cannulas, which lack tactile feedback and adequate protection for nerves and tendons, often requiring multiple instruments for minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A cannula with a flared prow design that provides tactile feedback, limits displacement and rotation, and displaces fat pads to enhance visualization, allowing for a single instrument to perform all necessary surgical functions, including tissue separation, visualization, and cutting, thereby reducing the need for multiple tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional endoscopic cannulas are used for carpal tunnel release, then minimally invasive surgery is achieved, but tactile feedback is lost and risk of unintended tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is segmented into distinct functional zones: a flared prow portion at the distal end for tissue displacement and tactile feedback, a shaft portion for structural support, and a distal opening for instrument passage. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula transitions from a simple cylindrical structure to a three-dimensional flared prow geometry. The flared prow creates a volumetric displacement field that pushes fat pads and tissues laterally, providing tactile feedback through resistance and improving visualization by clearing the surgical field in multiple spatial dimensions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple instruments are used for tissue separation, visualization, and cutting, then surgical functionality is comprehensive, but device complexity and procedure time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is designed as a universal platform that can perform multiple surgical functions: the flared prow separates tissue and provides visualization by displacing fat pads, while the distal opening accommodates various cutting instruments. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate instruments for tissue separation and visualization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula merges previously separate functions into a single integrated instrument. The flared prow combines tissue displacement, tissue separation, and visualization enhancement functions, while the shaft integrates structural support and instrument guidance, consolidating multiple instrument roles into one device.
3Ease of operation
If standard cannula design is used, then insertion is simple, but displacement and rotation are not limited increasing surgical risk
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula employs asymmetric geometry with a flared prow that has specific directional characteristics. The flare creates asymmetric resistance against surrounding tissues, which naturally limits rotation and displacement in certain directions while maintaining ease of insertion along the intended surgical path.
Data Source
AI summary
An endo-surgical device, system and method are provided. The endo-surgical device includes a flared prow that limits the displacement and rotation of the cannula to keep the knife away from tissues that are not intended to be cut. The endo-surgical tool can be utilized as part of a system for performing an endo-surgical procedure.