Removable Lightwire Illumination Assembly for Portable ENT Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balloon dilation devices for ENT procedures require a cumbersome and expensive capital equipment for illumination, which is impractical for routine use and can cause procedural complications.
Innovation Solution
A detachable and biocompatible illumination assembly, referred to as a 'lightwire' or 'lightguide', that extends through the balloon dilation device, providing modular and portable illumination, compatible with a variety of medical instruments, including balloon dilation devices, tissue-modifying, tissue-cutting, and tissue-ablating instruments, and can be used with electromagnetic navigation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If capital equipment is used for illumination, then sufficient illumination can be provided, but the equipment becomes cumbersome and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is divided into separate functional components: a handheld illumination device with integrated light source and a separate balloon dilation device. This segmentation allows the light source to be optimized independently without being constrained by the requirements of the dilation device, thereby providing sufficient illumination while reducing overall system complexity and eliminating the need for cumbersome capital equipment.
2Illumination intensity
If capital equipment is used for illumination, then adequate lighting is available, but the equipment takes up large space and is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination function is extracted from the capital equipment and integrated into a portable handheld device that can be independently operated. This extraction eliminates the need for large, expensive capital equipment while maintaining adequate illumination intensity, as the handheld device contains its own light source that can be positioned optimally for the procedure.
3Ease of operation
If light source is mounted on handheld device, then portability is improved, but device weight and balance may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a lightweight handheld illumination device and a separate balloon dilation device. This segmentation allows the light source to be positioned in the hand without adding significant weight to the dilation device, as each component is optimized independently. The illumination device can be held comfortably while providing adequate lighting, eliminating the need for heavy capital equipment.
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 illumination assembly offers sufficient and sustained illumination for ENT procedures, improving visual clarity and procedural efficiency without the drawbacks of capital equipment, enhancing the functionality and standard of care for a range of medical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The illumination assembly can include: an optical fiber having a proximal end held by the fiber coupler adjacent to the LED within the illumination assembly housing and having a distal end that extends out of the illumination assembly housing
Data Source
AI summary
Described here is an illumination assembly designed to be removably coupled with a variety of other medical instruments, particularly instruments having a tube, channel, or lumen through which a light wire optical fiber can pass through. The illumination assembly has a self-contained power source and is lightweight, allowing for use with a wide variety of instruments. In particular, the present illumination assembly is considered for use with medical device instruments routinely used for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures by otolaryngologists, head and neck surgeons, and other ENT physicians.