MRI-Compatible Surgical Instruments Using Non-Ferrous Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments are not compatible with diagnostic scanning devices like MRI scanners, leading to disruptions in image and data quality due to metallic and polymer components, which interfere with the use of these instruments during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
Designing surgical instruments with non-ferrous metals and radio-translucent materials that are compatible with diagnostic scanning devices, allowing for the use of these instruments during procedures while maintaining image quality, such as using titanium, copolymers, plastics, and carbon fiber to avoid interference with MRI and CT scans.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical instruments are made with metallic and polymer components, then the instruments can perform surgical functions effectively, but the image and data quality of diagnostic scanning devices is disrupted or compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by substituting traditional metallic and polymer materials with MRI-compatible materials such as titanium, aluminum, and specific polymers that have different magnetic and radiofrequency properties. These material parameter changes allow the surgical instruments to function effectively while being transparent or translucent to MRI, CT, and X-ray scanning, thereby eliminating image disruption and artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining MRI-compatible materials like titanium with biocompatible polymers and coatings to create surgical instruments that maintain both surgical functionality and scanning compatibility. The composite construction allows different parts of the instrument to have optimized properties for both surgical performance and diagnostic imaging transparency.
2Strength
If surgical instruments use traditional metallic components, then the instruments provide structural strength and durability, but ferromagnetic foreign bodies interact with magnetic and radiofrequency fields causing disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the magnetic parameters of the instrument materials by replacing ferromagnetic metals with non-ferromagnetic materials such as titanium, aluminum, and nickel-titanium alloys. These materials maintain the necessary structural strength and durability while eliminating ferromagnetic interactions with the magnetic and radiofrequency fields of diagnostic scanning devices, preventing image disruption and safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes single-use surgical instruments that are disposed of after one procedure, eliminating the need for sterilization and repackaging. This disposable approach ensures that each instrument is brand new and free from any ferromagnetic contaminants that might have been introduced during previous uses or sterilization processes, while also reducing the complexity of maintaining instrument compatibility across multiple uses.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables surgeons to perform surgical procedures and monitor the operative site using diagnostic scanning devices without compromising image quality, ensuring effective treatment of tissue while avoiding adverse imaging effects.
Implementation Method 1
An MRI scanner uses high-powered magnets to render images of an internal body cavity of a patient
Implementation Method 2
computed tomography (CT) scanner, which uses X-rays (another diagnostic test) to acquire X-ray images
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument for treating tissue during use of a diagnostic scanning device. The surgical instrument includes a housing, an actuating mechanism and an end effector assembly. The actuating mechanism is configured to activate the end effector assembly to treat tissue. At least a portion of the end effector is made of a material that is compatible with the diagnostic scanning device and allows a user to insert and activate the end effector to treat tissue at a surgical site within a patient while the surgical site is monitored during diagnostic scanning device.