Navigable Nasal Suction Tip Inserts for ENT Anatomy Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-guided surgery (IGS) systems for ENT procedures lack features that facilitate precise navigation and suction during operations, particularly in cases where anatomical landmarks are difficult to visualize endoscopically.
Innovation Solution
A navigable suction instrument equipped with a sensor assembly that communicates with an IGS navigation system, allowing real-time tracking and display of the suction instrument's position within the patient's anatomy, combined with modular components for flexibility and hygiene management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nasal suction instrument is designed for a specific nasopharyngeal anatomy, then it can effectively clear secretions from that anatomy, but it cannot be used on patients with different nasopharyngeal anatomies
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal suction instrument is divided into a hub portion and a separate tip insert portion. The tip insert can be detached and replaced with different types (e.g., straight tip insert for adult anatomy, angled tip insert for pediatric anatomy) to adapt to different nasopharyngeal anatomies while using the same hub and suction mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The hub portion is designed as a universal component that can accommodate multiple types of tip inserts. This allows a single hub to serve multiple functions by accepting different tip inserts tailored to specific anatomical requirements, thereby achieving both reliability for specific anatomy and versatility across different patient populations
2Reliability
If different nasal suction instruments are designed for different nasopharyngeal anatomies, then each instrument can be optimized for its target anatomy, but the number of instruments and tips required increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the instrument into a reusable hub and disposable/interchangeable tip inserts, the system reduces the need for multiple complete instruments. Each tip insert is optimized for a specific anatomy (adult/pediatric), but they all share the same hub, thereby reducing overall device complexity and inventory requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The universal hub design allows a single hub to function with multiple tip insert types. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to manufacture and stock separate complete instruments for different anatomies, reducing the total number of devices required while maintaining optimized performance for each target anatomy
3Reliability
If a nasal suction instrument is designed for pediatric anatomy, then it can effectively clear secretions from pediatric patients, but it cannot be used on adult patients
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into a common hub and anatomy-specific tip inserts. A pediatric tip insert with appropriate curvature and dimensions can be attached to the hub for pediatric patients, while an adult tip insert can be attached to the same hub for adult patients, allowing each patient population to receive optimized care with the same base instrument
4Reliability
If a nasal suction instrument is designed for adult anatomy, then it can effectively clear secretions from adult patients, but it cannot be used on pediatric patients
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is segmented into a common hub and anatomy-specific tip inserts. An adult tip insert with appropriate curvature and dimensions can be attached to the hub for adult patients, while a pediatric tip insert can be attached to the same hub for pediatric patients, allowing each patient population to receive optimized care with the same base instrument
Data Source
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AI summary
A suction instrument includes a proximal end, a distal end configured to be positioned within or adjacent to an anatomical passageway of a patient, and a suction lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The suction lumen is configured to provide suction at the distal end. A navigation sensor is disposed along a portion of the suction lumen and is operable to generate an electrical signal corresponding to a location of the portion within the patient. A coupling feature is disposed at the proximal end and is configured to releasably couple the proximal end with a body.