Retractable Double-Edged Blade Endoscopic Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopic instruments for carpal tunnel surgery are bulky, fragile, and limited in flexibility and accuracy due to their use of single-edged blades and rod lens technology, which complicates the surgical procedure and increases the risk of tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A compact, fiber-optic based endoscopic surgical tool with a retractable double-edged blade that allows cutting in both distal to proximal and proximal to distal motions, combined with a flexible fiber optic system for improved durability and precision, and a retractor for enhanced visualization and tissue protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rod lens endoscope technology is used, then the endoscope can provide optical imaging, but the instrumentation becomes bulky and fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rod lens optical system with a fiber optic cable-based illumination and imaging system. This substitution eliminates the bulky and fragile rod lens structure while maintaining optical imaging capabilities, thereby improving durability and reducing instrumentation size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible fiber optic cables instead of rigid rod lenses. The flexible nature of fiber optic cables allows for a more compact and durable instrument design, enabling the endoscope to be less bulky while maintaining optical performance and resistance to damage.
2Ease of operation
If a single edged blade is used for dissecting the ligament, then the cutting function is provided, but the flexibility and accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single cutting edge into two opposing edges on the blade. This segmentation allows the blade to cut effectively in both distal-to-proximal and proximal-to-distal directions, thereby enhancing cutting flexibility and precision during the carpal tunnel release procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the blade orientation dynamic by allowing it to be positioned at different angles relative to the probe shaft. The blade can be rotated to present different cutting edges, enabling the surgeon to adapt the cutting direction to the specific surgical requirements, thus improving both flexibility and accuracy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the probe diameter is reduced to minimize tissue damage, then the tool becomes smaller and less invasive, but the blade deployment mechanism becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested configuration where the blade is housed within the probe shaft and can be deployed outward through a lateral opening. The blade mechanism is nested within the existing probe structure, allowing for a compact design that minimizes the overall probe diameter while still providing an effective blade deployment mechanism for cutting.
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 tool provides greater flexibility, accuracy, and durability, allowing for safer and more precise dissection of tissues with reduced risk to neighboring anatomy, while maintaining a smaller size that minimizes tissue damage and procedural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A fiber optic bundle is used to supply light for illumination
Implementation Method 2
to allow for imaging of tissue localized near the probe tip
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic tool utilizes a fiber optic system for illuminating and imaging ligaments or other tissue which are to be cut. Illumination and imaging is performed above a lateral opening at the distal end of a probe that is inserted into an incision point. Preferably, a two edged blade which can be moved in both the distal to proximal direction and the proximal to distal direction is selectively deployable from of the lateral opening at the distal end of the probe. The endoscopic tool is small in size, and preferably includes a pencil grip with a button actuator for deploying the two edged cutting blade. A wire actuator that fits into a slot in the bottom of the deployable blade, can be nested with the fiber optic cable such that the cross sectional area of the probe is reduced. Alternatively, a tube concentric with the fiber optic cable can be used as the mechanism for actuating the blade or other device. The surgeon can observe cutting of the ligament or other tissue as he moves the endoscopic tool in either or both the forward or reverse direction on a display screen which is operatively connected to the fiber optic system. A retractor can be used in conjunction with the endoscopic tool to lift tissue where dissection is desired, and to function as a guide for the blade.