Microsurgical Instrument with Rotating Cannula and Reciprocating Wire

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Solution Overview

Problem

Microsurgical instruments face challenges in maintaining a clear line of sight during procedures, leading to inefficiency and tissue damage due to the need to hold instruments at awkward angles, and lack flexibility in angle adjustment during use, requiring frequent removal and repositioning.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument design featuring a housing with a first actuation member for reciprocating action and a second actuation member for rotational action, allowing the inner cannula to rotate and the wire member to move transversely, enabling cutting or grasping operations without obstructing the view and reducing tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the instrument is held at awkward angles to maintain visibility, then the surgeon can observe the surgical site, but the operator experiences increased fatigue and may cause unintended movements damaging normal tissues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of surgical siteVSAvoidoperator fatigue and control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument incorporates dynamic angle adjustment capabilities through rotationally actuated components that allow the effector end to change orientation relative to the shaft during use. This enables the instrument to adapt its angle to maintain optimal visibility while reducing operator fatigue and preventing unintended tissue damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If the instrument is used to access deep surgical corridors, then the surgeon can reach the target structure, but the instrument blocks the view of the surgical site during use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedepth of surgical corridor accessVSAvoidsurgeon's view of surgical site

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is divided into separable functional components including a shaft, effector end, and articulation mechanism. This segmentation allows the effector end to be independently positioned and angled relative to the shaft, enabling deep access while minimizing obstruction of the surgical view through controlled articulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument features dynamic articulation mechanisms that allow the effector end to rotate and adjust its angle relative to the shaft during procedures. This enables the instrument to reach deep surgical corridors while maintaining visibility by dynamically positioning the effector end out of the direct line of sight when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the instrument requires repeated removal and repositioning for angle adjustment, then the surgeon can access different angles, but the procedure becomes less efficient and causes tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle adjustment capabilityVSAvoidprocedural efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument incorporates dynamic angle adjustment mechanisms that allow the effector end to rotate and reposition relative to the shaft during use. This eliminates the need for repeated removal and repositioning, maintaining procedural efficiency while providing versatile angle adjustment capability through controlled articulation movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument enables continuous angle adjustment during the procedure through integrated rotation mechanisms, eliminating interruptions for repositioning. The useful action of adjusting angles can be performed continuously without removing the instrument from the surgical site, thereby maintaining productivity while achieving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Ease of operation

If the instrument shaft and effector end are made visible, then the surgeon can observe the instrument position, but the effector end occludes the view of the surgical site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument visibilityVSAvoidsurgeon's view of surgical site

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument is segmented into distinct visible components (shaft and effector end) that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the shaft to remain visible for orientation reference while the effector end can be articulated to perform operations without permanently occluding the surgical view, as it can be repositioned when not in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10149695B2Microsurgical instruments

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A surgical instrument may include a housing, a first actuation member configured; a coupler operatively connected to the first actuation member for imparting a reciprocating action to a portion of the instrument, a second actuation member configured for imparting a rotational action to a portion of the instrument, a first cannula operatively connected to the second actuation member, such that the first cannula is configured for rotational movement with respect to the housing, and a wire member at least partially disposed within the first cannula and fixed to the coupler, the wire member configured to rotate and reciprocate with the coupler.