Flexible Surgical Sheath with Removable Tool Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical technologies, particularly in robotic neurosurgery, face challenges in accessing complex anatomical sites like the brain with minimal damage to surrounding tissues due to the limitations of rigid and straight endoscopes, and existing robotic systems require full removal for tool changes, leading to increased collateral tissue damage and restricted maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a flexible and deflectable external sheath and tool components that can be steered along curvilinear paths, allowing independent deflection and removal/replacement without straightening or withdrawing the sheath, equipped with a deflection control assembly and flexible guide tubes for tool management and irrigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid and straight endoscopes are used for skull base surgery, then structural strength and stability are improved, but access to complex anatomical sites is restricted and collateral tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into multiple segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the distal end to navigate complex anatomical paths while the proximal end remains stable for operator control
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope incorporates curved and flexible sections that enable it to follow the natural curvilinear anatomy of the skull base, allowing access to deep surgical sites without forcing straight-line trajectories through healthy tissue
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid endoscopes are used to maintain stability, then operational control is improved, but maneuverability around anatomical obstacles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system with articulated segments that can be actively controlled to navigate around obstacles while maintaining stable imaging and operational capabilities at the target site
3Ease of manufacture
If the entire robotic system is removed for tool changes, then tool replacement is simplified, but surgical procedure time increases and tissue exposure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tools are nested within the endoscope shaft or held in graspers at the distal end, allowing tool changes to occur in-place at the surgical site without requiring removal of the entire endoscope system from the patient
4Device complexity
If straight-line access paths are used, then surgical tool delivery is simplified, but collateral tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope and surgical tools follow curvilinear access paths that conform to the natural anatomy of the skull base, allowing surgical intervention at deep targets while minimizing disruption to overlying healthy brain tissue and critical structures
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device that has an external sheath having a proximal end and a distal end for insertion through an opening of a body and a plurality of tool components extending from the distal end of the external sheath. The tool components are independently deflectable with respect to each other and with respect to the external sheath and removable from the device without requiring withdrawal of the sheath through the opening of the body. The external sheath is flexible and deflectable intermediate the distal and proximal ends. This permits the device to be steered in a curvilinear manner towards a surgical target.