Neurosurgery Assembly Tool Insertion Adapter Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimal invasive neurosurgery assemblies face challenges such as tool compatibility issues between brands, difficult sterilization of endoscopes with flushing lumens, and potential damage to brain tissue due to axial or rotational movements of the endoscope during procedures.

Innovation Solution

A neurosurgery assembly featuring a tool insertion assembly with detachable components and an inner sheath that allows for the use of tools and endoscopes from different brands, eliminates the need for flushing lumens in the endoscope, and minimizes tissue damage through a collapsible design and stable positions that reduce cross-sectional area during insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If tools and endoscopes from different brands are used together, then flexibility and versatility are improved, but compatibility is worsened due to brand-specific dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool compatibilityVSAvoidbrand compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as a universal interface component that enables compatibility between different brand standards. It has a first connection interface for one brand's tool and a second connection interface for another brand's endoscope, allowing tools from one brand to be used with endoscopes from another brand. This multi-functional adapter resolves the brand-specific compatibility issue while maintaining versatility in tool selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the tool and endoscope from different brands. Instead of directly connecting incompatible interfaces, the adapter mediates the connection by providing appropriate interface adaptations on both sides, enabling reliable communication and mechanical coupling between previously incompatible components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the endoscope includes lumen for flushing and guiding tools, then functionality is improved, but sterilization difficulty is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveendoscope functionalityVSAvoidsterilization ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into separate functional components: the endoscope maintains its lumens for flushing and tool guidance, while the adapter handles the connection and interface functions. This segmentation allows the endoscope to be designed with full functionality without compromising sterilization, as the adapter can be easily detached and sterilized separately or replaced between uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adapter can be designed as a disposable component that is replaced between patients or procedures. This eliminates the need for complex sterilization of the adapter's internal passages, as each new adapter is pre-sterilized and single-use. The endoscope itself retains its lumens for full functionality but is sterilized using standard medical protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the endoscope is moved axially or rotated to change the view inside the brain, then visualization flexibility is improved, but brain tissue damage is worsened due to relative movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveview flexibilityVSAvoidbrain tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of achieving view changes through axial movement or rotation of the endoscope within the brain tissue, the system uses a camera mechanism that rotates or moves within the endoscope's optical path. This dimensional separation allows the imaging system to change views without moving the endoscope itself, eliminating relative movement between the endoscope and brain tissue while maintaining visualization flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical movement of the entire endoscope is replaced with an internal camera mechanism that provides view changes. Rather than physically moving the endoscope through axial displacement or rotation (which causes tissue damage), the camera inside the endoscope captures images from different angles or positions, substituting mechanical endoscope movement with an internal imaging system adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8690761B2Minimal invasive neurosurgery assembly as well as a method for neurosurgery using such a neurosurgery assembly

Publication Date: 2014.04.08 NEURENDO

AI summary

A minimal invasive neurosurgery assembly including a flush assembly having flush assembly main part with a central passage extending through the main part from the distal end to the proximal end along a longitudinal axis, and having at least one tool insertion assembly. The tool insertion assembly may include a tool handling part that is detachably connectable to the flush assembly main part and that has at least one tool insertion channel that extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the tool handling part. The tool insertion assembly may also include an inner sheath that is connected to the tool handling part and has an inner sheath wall and at least one lumen extending parallel to the longitudinal axis and in which an associated one of the at least one tool insertion channel emanates. The inner sheath may be insertable through the central passage of the flush assembly main part.