Hybrid Cannula Segmentation for Surgical Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cannulas used in minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as arthroscopy, face challenges in maintaining stability during instrument insertion and require non-standard insertion methods due to their rigidity or flexibility, which can lead to instability and difficulties in fluid management.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid cannula is manufactured by overmolding a rigid portion with a flexible portion, featuring internal dams and membranes to prevent fluid leakage while allowing instrument passage, using materials like polycarbonate, PEEK, and thermoplastic elastomers, which provides structural integrity and flexibility for stable insertion and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid cannula is used, then structural integrity and ease of insertion are improved, but stability during instrument insertion deteriorates due to tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple segments: a rigid proximal portion for insertion and a flexible distal portion for stability during instrumentation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula combines rigid and flexible materials in a single hybrid structure. The rigid proximal portion provides structural integrity while the flexible distal portion prevents tipping, achieving both strength and stability through material composition.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a flexible cannula is used, then stability during instrument insertion is improved, but ease of insertion and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple segments: a rigid proximal portion for insertion and a flexible distal portion for stability during instrumentation. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula combines rigid and flexible materials in a single hybrid structure. The rigid proximal portion provides structural integrity while the flexible distal portion prevents tipping, achieving both strength and stability through material composition.
3Reliability
If a rigid cannula with dams is used, then fluid prevention is improved, but device complexity increases due to separate dam components
Solution Approach 1:
The dam structure is integrated directly into the flexible distal portion of the cannula during molding, eliminating separate dam components. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining effective fluid prevention through the flexible dam's slit design.
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
The hybrid cannula remains stable during instrument insertion, allows for traditional insertion methods, and effectively prevents fluid leakage, improving surgical efficiency and safety by combining the advantages of rigid and flexible cannulas without their respective drawbacks.
Implementation Method 1
A hybrid cannula is manufactured by overmolding a rigid portion with a flexible portion
Data Source
AI summary
A new process of manufacturing a hybrid cannula may include creating a first part with at least two components, overmolding at least two components of a second part to a channel in each component of the first part, and fixing the components of the first part together. The second part may include various types of features such as thick/thin dams, squirt membranes, and/or duck bill dams inside the hybrid cannula. Each dam may have any number, shape, orientation, and length of slits/openings. The slits/openings may allow passage of an instrument while the dam(s) may prevent fluid from passing through the hybrid cannula. A third part may optionally be overmolded to at least a portion of the first part, at least a portion of the second part, or both. The third part may provide an extension, a flange, or a combination thereof at a distal end of the hybrid cannula.