Integrated Suction Punch for Endonasal Neurosurgery

Solution Overview

Problem

Current neurosurgical procedures for resecting brain and spine tissue, particularly endonasal neurosurgery, face challenges such as prolonged procedure times, increased trauma to patients, and inefficiencies due to the limitations of existing tissue cutting devices, which often tear tissue and require multiple insertions, leading to bleeding and mucoid secretion issues.

Innovation Solution

The development of a suction punch and saw device with integrated irrigation and vacuum systems that allow for continuous tissue removal and cutting within the nasal cavity, minimizing the need for multiple insertions and reducing trauma, along with a tissue cutting device that uses a cooperating inner and outer cannula for minimally invasive resection, and a dispensing wand for securing the dura flap with biocompatible glue and hemostatic agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a punch device is used to remove turbinates in prior art endonasal surgery, then tissue can be removed, but multiple insertions are required which lengthens procedure time and increases patient trauma

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue removal efficiencyVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the punch device and suction device into a single integrated tool. The punch device removes turbinate tissue while the suction device simultaneously aspirates the removed tissue through a lumen in the punch device, eliminating the need for separate suction steps and reducing the number of insertions required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated punch and suction device allows continuous tissue removal and aspiration in a single insertion. The suction lumen remains open during punching, enabling continuous removal of tissue fragments as they are generated, maintaining uninterrupted surgical action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If a punch device is used to remove turbinates, then tissue can be removed, but multiple insertions cause increased trauma and bleeding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue removal capabilityVSAvoidpatient trauma and bleeding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the punch device and suction device into a single integrated tool. The punch device removes turbinate tissue while the suction device simultaneously aspirates the removed tissue through a lumen in the punch device, eliminating the need for separate suction steps and reducing the number of insertions required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction component converts the harmful effect of tissue fragmentation and bleeding into a beneficial by continuously aspirating blood and tissue fragments away from the surgical site, reducing trauma and improving visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If separate suction device insertion is required to clear bleeding and mucoid secretions, then the nasal passage can be cleared, but procedure time is further increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenasal passage clearanceVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the punch device and suction device into a single integrated tool. The punch device removes turbinate tissue while the suction device simultaneously aspirates the removed tissue through a lumen in the punch device, eliminating the need for separate suction steps and reducing the number of insertions required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: tissue removal by punching, aspiration of removed tissue, and clearance of blood and mucoid secretions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices and steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If known tissue cutting devices are used, then tissue can be excised, but they tear surrounding tissue causing trauma

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue excision capabilityVSAvoidtraction on surrounding tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical tissue cutting devices that tear tissue with an ultrasonic cutting device. The ultrasonic vibrations at high frequency (20-100 kHz) enable precise cutting with minimal mechanical force, reducing trauma to surrounding tissue while maintaining effective tissue excision capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach significantly reduces procedure time, minimizes patient trauma, and enhances the precision and efficiency of tissue resection, while providing a watertight seal to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage, improving the overall effectiveness of neurosurgical interventions.

Implementation Method 1

a cutting device configured to cut tissue using ultrasonic vibrations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

an irrigation supply in fluid communication with the housing and configured to deliver irrigation to a distal end of the outer cannula

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

a vacuum source in communication with the housing and configured to remove tissue, secretions, or other material from the nasal cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS8230867B2Method for performing a surgical procedure

Publication Date: 2012.07.31 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A method for conducting a surgical procedure is described herein. The surgical procedure includes creating a pathway through a nasal cavity, creating an opening through a section of skull that is connected to the nasal cavity, harvesting a portion of the skull formed by creating the opening to expose a dura layer of the brain, cutting a section of the dura layer to expose a section of brain tissue, and inserting a tissue resection device through the nasal cavity to take tissue samples from the exposed brain tissue. The dura layer is then secured over the exposed brain tissue so as to create a watertight seal and the previously harvested portion of the skull is inserted in in the opening and secured to the skull to close the opening.