Motorized Cannulation Tool With Nested Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for placing cannulas in minimally invasive surgeries are time-consuming, require significant radiation exposure, and can lead to surgeon fatigue due to the manual insertion of dilators and cannulas.
Innovation Solution
A motorized cannulation system with a plurality of tubes, including an inner tube, an outer tube, and a set of nested tubes, which are moved from retracted to extended positions using a gripper rod and motor, allowing for precise and automated insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual insertion of dilators and cannulas is used, then the procedure can be performed with simple equipment, but the operating time increases and surgeon fatigue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested tubes where smaller tubes are contained within larger tubes, allowing multiple dilators of different sizes to be stored in a compact configuration. The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, and intermediate tubes are nested between them, creating a space-efficient design that reduces operating time while maintaining equipment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannulation system is divided into separate functional segments: an outer tube, an inner tube, intermediate tubes, a gripper mechanism, and a motor. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the gripper selectively engaging different tubes to advance them sequentially, thereby reducing overall operating time.
2Measurement precision
If manual cannula placement is performed, then radiation exposure can be minimized, but the accuracy of cannula placement decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated motor-driven gripper system. The motor controls the gripper to precisely advance each tube to its target position, improving placement accuracy without requiring radiation-based imaging guidance, thereby eliminating radiation exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-positioning through the motorized gripper that automatically advances each tube to the correct depth and position. The gripper selectively engages specific tubes and advances them independently, ensuring accurate placement without external guidance, thus eliminating the need for radiation exposure.
3Ease of operation
If multiple dilators are inserted manually in sequence, then the procedure can be completed with basic tools, but surgeon fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual insertion operations with an automated motor-driven gripper system. The motor controls the gripper to selectively engage and advance each tube in sequence, eliminating repetitive manual manipulation and reducing surgeon fatigue while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized system performs the insertion operations autonomously, with the gripper automatically selecting and advancing appropriate tubes without requiring continuous manual intervention. This automation reduces surgeon fatigue while keeping the system easy to operate through simple activation commands.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact storage configuration is used for nested tubes, then the device size is reduced, but the complexity of tube engagement mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses nested tube configurations where smaller tubes are stored within larger tubes, achieving compact device size. The gripper mechanism engages specific tubes by their unique outer surfaces, and the nested arrangement allows systematic access to each tube level, managing complexity through organized hierarchical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripper is designed with specific engagement features that interact with the outer surfaces of individual tubes at specific locations. This localized engagement approach allows the gripper to selectively manipulate specific tubes within the nested configuration without requiring complex mechanisms to access all tubes simultaneously, thereby managing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cannulation tool, systems, and methods for placing a cannula is provided. The tool includes a body and a plurality of tubes removably secured to the body. Each tube is moveable from a retracted position to an extended position. The plurality of tubes may include an inner tube, an outer tube, and a set of tubes positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. Each tube of the set of tubes is nested in an adjacent tube, the outer tube is positioned external to the set of tubes, and the inner tube is positioned internal to the set of tubes. The tool also includes a gripper rod having a gripper disposed on an end thereof for forcibly moving each tube of the set of tubes, in sequence, from the retracted position to the extended position.