Selectively Lockable Surgical Access Sheath for Minimally Invasive Brain Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques for accessing brain tissue are invasive and cause trauma due to the need for substantial skull removal and brain retraction, leading to complications like retraction injury and permanent neurological deficits, especially when dealing with deep-seated brain abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access assembly with a hollow outer sheath and a selectively removable obturator featuring a radiused distal tip and tapered configuration to minimize tissue trauma, along with a locking mechanism for secure placement and real-time imaging capabilities for precise navigation and tissue visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If traditional surgical techniques are used to access deep-seated brain abnormalities, then access to the target tissue is achieved, but substantial skull removal and brain retraction are required causing trauma and neurological deficits
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is divided into separate functional components: a reusable outer sheath that remains in place, removable obturators for different access needs, and detachable surgical instruments. This segmentation allows minimal invasive access while avoiding the need for substantial skull removal and brain retraction required by traditional single-piece surgical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturator is inserted within the outer sheath, and surgical instruments can be passed through the sheath. This nested configuration enables deep brain access through a small opening without requiring large-scale tissue displacement, thereby reducing trauma and neurological damage compared to traditional open craniotomy approaches.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a reusable outer sheath with removable obturator is used, then tissue trauma is minimized, but the device complexity increases due to multiple components and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static traditional retractors to a dynamic configuration where the obturator can be selectively removed and replaced within the outer sheath. The rotation brake provides conditional locking - allowing movement when needed while maintaining stability during surgery. This dynamic design minimizes tissue trauma without requiring excessive permanent complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation brake mechanism is designed to be manually operable by the surgeon without requiring additional assistants or complex external locking systems. The self-contained nature of the braking mechanism within the handle reduces overall system complexity while maintaining secure positioning.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rotation brake is added to lock the outer sheath, then secure positioning is achieved, but the device complexity and ease of operation are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation brake acts as an intermediary mechanism between the surgeon's manual input and the outer sheath positioning. It provides controlled locking and unlocking action that stabilizes the sheath during surgery while allowing easy repositioning when needed, thus improving positioning stability without permanently complicating operation.
4Length of moving object
If traditional brain retractors are used to hold brain tissue, then access to deep structures is achieved, but retraction injury occurs due to pressure marks from lateral edges
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful lateral edges and retraction mechanism are extracted from the access system. Instead of using retractors that press against brain tissue, the invention uses a hollow outer sheath that creates a tunnel through the brain, eliminating contact with lateral brain surfaces and preventing retraction injury while maintaining deep access capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Selectively lockable holding arrangements for a surgical access assembly are disclosed. One holding arrangement includes a body portion, an engagement barrel and a retaining member configured as a hook at a distal end of the body portion. The engagement barrel is position on a proximal end of the body portion and is configured to be selectively rotated about the body portion when operatively connected to a surgical holding arrangement. A rotation brake is mounted on the body section. The rotation brake is selectively operable to lock the engagement barrel against rotation.