Nested Tube Guide for Compact Resectoscope Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing resectoscopes face challenges in being compact enough for narrow cavities while accommodating a significant number of essential tubes and elements for resection and surgical operations, and are difficult to manufacture industrially.
Innovation Solution
A resectoscope design featuring a guide with a first cylindrical tube and a second cylindrical tube, where the second tube has a non-cylindrical portion with plane surfaces for insulating conductors, allowing for a compact structure with multiple tubes for suction, lighting, and instrument introduction, and made from materials like stainless steel and copper with PTFE insulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the guide is designed with a compact structure to fit narrow cavities, then the transverse dimension is reduced, but it becomes difficult to accommodate multiple essential tubes and elements for resection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested tube configuration where a second tube is mounted inside a first tube, creating concentric arrangements for fluid passage and instrument introduction. This nesting allows multiple functional channels to occupy minimal transverse space while maintaining independent access to the cavity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional cross-sectional layout to a three-dimensional concentric arrangement, utilizing the radial dimension to stack multiple tubes and elements vertically within the guide. This dimensional reorganization maximizes the use of available space without increasing the outer diameter
2Adaptability or versatility
If the guide includes multiple tubes and elements for comprehensive surgical functions, then versatility is improved, but the transverse dimension increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tubes are arranged in concentric nested configurations, with smaller diameter tubes positioned within larger ones. This allows fluid passage tubes, instrument channels, and electrical conductors to coexist within a compact guide structure, providing comprehensive surgical functionality without excessive transverse dimension
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure integrates multiple functions into a single unified device, combining resection capability, fluid irrigation, suction, and instrument introduction through the nested tube system. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate devices, maintaining versatility while minimizing the transverse footprint
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide structure is made complex to accommodate multiple elements, then versatility is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is divided into discrete modular segments including separate tubes for different functions (fluid passage, instrument introduction, electrical conductors). Each segment can be manufactured independently using standard industrial processes and then assembled, simplifying production while maintaining functional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The nested tube configuration allows each tube to be manufactured as a separate component and then assembled into the final guide structure. This modular nested design simplifies manufacturing compared to attempting to create a single complex integrated structure, as each tube can be produced using conventional tubing fabrication methods
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
The design enables efficient resection and surgical interventions in narrow cavities with enhanced compactness and versatility, facilitating procedures like hysteroscopy by providing multiple functional channels within a minimal transverse dimension, thus improving surgical accessibility and ease of manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
an open loop defined between two free terminals and made of an electrically conductive resistive material so as to produce heat by the Joule effect and thus enable all or part of a determined organ to be ablated by burning
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for resecting an organ in a cavity of a living body. The device includes a guide with a tube and a tube, both cylindrical, the tube being mounted in the first tube; an electrical conductor surrounded by an electrically insulating sheath, the tube being a cylinder of revolution with an inner radius of value R1, the tube including a part which is a cylinder of revolution with an outer radius of value R2<R1 and with an angle at the center of a value Ac, and a part which is not a cylinder of revolution and has an angle at the center of value “360°−Ac”; the insulated conductor contacts the part of the tube, between the outer and inner walls of this tube; and a unit for keeping this insulated conductor in contact with the part of the tube.