Interlocking Surgical Tube Structure for Protected Tendon Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible manipulators for minimally invasive surgery, such as bronchoscopic interventions, face challenges with tendon guide features that alter the inner or outer diameter, are susceptible to fragmentation, and require additional components or assembly steps, which can damage tendons and complicate manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a channel within the wall of a first tube that protects tendons, maintains diameter integrity, and integrates interlocking segments to prevent fragmentation, using polymer or glass materials compatible with MRI, and a method of fabricating the device through fibre drawing and laser cutting to form interlocking segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tendon guide features are added to protect tendons, then tendon protection is improved, but the inner or outer diameter is altered and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tendon guide channel is merged with the tube wall structure itself, eliminating the need for separate tendon guide features. The channel is formed as an integral part of the tube wall through the fabrication process, combining the protective function with the structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the inner and outer diameters, and contains the tendon guide channel for tendon protection. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated tendon guide components.
2Ease of operation
If individual segments are assembled to form the manipulator, then flexibility and steerability are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and fragmentation risk arises
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is divided into multiple discrete segments that can be assembled to form the complete manipulator. Each segment contains its own tendon guide channels and can be independently fabricated, then joined to create the full-length manipulator with flexible steering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tendon guide channels are formed during the initial tube fabrication process using fibre drawing and laser cutting, before the segments are assembled. This preliminary formation of channels simplifies the overall manufacturing process by eliminating post-assembly channel creation.
3Length of moving object
If the tube wall is made thin to access narrow passageways, then the outer diameter is minimized, but tendon protection and manufacturing precision become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fabrication parameters (fibre drawing conditions, laser cutting settings) are optimized to create precise tendon guide channels in thin-walled tubes. By controlling these parameters, the invention achieves the necessary manufacturing precision despite the thin wall thickness, maintaining both small outer diameter and adequate tendon protection.
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 device ensures tendon protection, maintains diameter consistency, prevents fragmentation, and simplifies manufacturing, enabling steerable access through narrow human passageways with enhanced control and compatibility with medical imaging.
Implementation Method 1
drawing the first preform to form a first tube having an axis and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall
Implementation Method 2
segmenting the first tube into a plurality of interlocking segments
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A surgical device (204) comprising a first tube (232) having an axis (233) and a wall with a channel extending axially within the wall, the first tube comprising a plurality of integrally-formed interlocking segments (234).