Microsurgical Instrument with Bendable Shaft for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microsurgical instruments face challenges in maintaining a clear line of sight and flexibility during procedures, leading to potential tissue damage and increased surgeon fatigue due to awkward instrument angles and repeated insertion/removal, which complicates delicate operations like vascular procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design of microsurgical instruments featuring a handpiece with a dual actuation mechanism, an inner cannula with a keyway for cutting blades, and an outer cannula with an offset bend or malleable material, allowing for single-handed axial movement and rotation of the instrument, thereby maintaining optimal visibility and reducing tissue trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the instrument is inserted at a narrow and deep angle to access surgical structures, then access to the surgical site is achieved, but the surgeon's view of the surgical site is blocked and line of sight is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument shaft incorporates a bend angle mechanism that allows the distal end to be positioned at angles different from the proximal end, creating a non-linear path through the surgical site. This dimensional change in the instrument's configuration allows the tip to reach deep structures while the proximal end remains in a visible, accessible position for the surgeon.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument includes a bendable shaft section that can be dynamically adjusted during the procedure. The bend angle can be modified to optimize both the depth of insertion and the visibility of the surgical site, allowing the instrument to adapt to different surgical requirements while maintaining line of sight.
2Illumination intensity
If the instrument is held at awkward angles to maintain visibility, then line of sight is preserved, but the operator experiences fatigue and unintended movements occur
Solution Approach 1:
By incorporating a bend angle mechanism, the instrument allows the proximal end to be positioned at an optimal angle for visibility and control, while the distal end can be angled to access deep surgical structures. This eliminates the need for the operator to hold the entire instrument at awkward angles, reducing fatigue and improving control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument is extracted and repositioned to change orientation for different operations, then operational flexibility is achieved, but procedure time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument includes a bend angle mechanism that allows the shaft to be repositioned and reoriented while remaining inserted in the surgical site. This dynamic adjustment capability provides operational flexibility for different surgical tasks without requiring extraction and reinsertion, thereby reducing procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument can be pre-positioned at an optimal bend angle for a specific surgical task before the procedure begins. This preliminary configuration allows the instrument to be ready for immediate use without requiring time-consuming repositioning operations during the procedure.
4Reliability
If repeated insertion and removal of the instrument is performed to inspect outcomes, then quality control is maintained, but tissue damage occurs due to bumping and manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The bend angle mechanism allows the instrument to be repositioned and inspected while remaining inserted in the surgical site. This eliminates the need for repeated extraction and reinsertion, thereby preventing tissue damage caused by manipulation and bumping while maintaining quality control through visual inspection.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument is disclosed herein. The surgical instrument comprises a housing, a first actuation member, a second actuation member, and a first cannula. The first actuation member is configured for imparting a reciprocating action to a portion of the instrument. The second actuation member configured for imparting a rotational action to a portion of the instrument. The first cannula is operatively connected to the second actuation member, such that the first cannula is configured for rotational movement with respect to the housing. In one arrangement, a wire member is disposed within the first cannula and is configured to rotate with the first cannula.