Microsurgical Tool Package With Integrated Imaging for Physician Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microsurgical devices are expensive, restrict physician movement, require frequent adjustment due to limited field of view with high magnification, and separate tools complicate surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A microsurgical apparatus with a shaft, handle, and tool package that allows for interchangeable tools, integrated imaging and lighting, and a mechanism to adjust tool position, enabling flexible operation and improved visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If expensive viewing devices such as magnifying loops or microscopes are used to achieve high magnification for surgical procedures, then the magnification capability is improved, but the cost increases significantly and the physician's body movement is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a camera to capture optical images of the surgical site and transmits them to a display device, creating a visual copy that the physician can view without being positioned close to the surgical site. This eliminates the need for expensive magnifying loops or microscopes while maintaining high magnification capability through digital imaging and display systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical optical magnification system (microscopes, magnifying loops) with an electronic imaging system consisting of a camera, processor, and display device. This substitution allows the physician to move freely while viewing high-magnification images on a screen, eliminating the physical constraints of traditional optical devices
2Measurement precision
If viewing devices with more than 3× magnification are used to achieve detailed visualization, then the measurement precision is improved, but the field of view is correspondingly limited requiring constant adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible endoscope with a bendable section that can be dynamically adjusted to change the direction and field of view. This allows the physician to navigate the endoscope around anatomical structures and maintain optimal visualization of the surgical site without requiring frequent adjustments to magnification or position, as the flexible structure adapts to different surgical needs
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tools are used during microsurgical procedures to perform different surgical functions, then the functional versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases and sterilization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple surgical tools into a single unified endoscopic system. The endoscope incorporates imaging components, lighting, and can accommodate various surgical instruments through its working channel. This merging of functions into one device simplifies sterilization processes compared to managing multiple separate tools, while maintaining full surgical versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscopic system is designed with universal capabilities to perform multiple surgical functions. The single device can provide visualization, illumination, and accommodate different surgical instruments for cutting, grasping, or other procedures, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices and simplifying both operation and sterilization
Data Source
AI summary
In various aspects, a microsurgical apparatus disclosed herein includes a shaft having a shaft distal end, a shaft proximal end with a handle mounted to shaft proximal end. The microsurgical apparatus includes a tool package having an actuator at a tool package proximal end of the tool package and a tool at a tool package distal end of the tool package. The actuator cooperates mechanically with the tool. A sleeve lumen disposed within the tool package slidably receives the shaft for releasable lockable engagement of the tool package proximal end with the handle and with the shaft distal end being generally coextensive with the tool package distal end. Light source(s) and image sensor(s) located proximate the shaft distal end allow viewing of regions distal to the shaft including the tool when the tool package is mounted to the shaft. Exemplary methods of use of the microsurgical apparatus are also disclosed herein.