Retractable Elevator Shaver Blade for Sinus Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
During endoscopic sinus surgery, surgeons face challenges with existing instruments that require switching between tools for precision tissue removal and irrigation, with Freer ENT elevators being inadequate for removing large amounts of tissue efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional endoscopic sinus surgery device featuring a shaver blade assembly with an outer sheath that can move axially, allowing for both manual and power tissue resection, and incorporating a hypotube for irrigation, enabling simultaneous tissue removal and lavage effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a Freer ENT elevator is used for precision tissue removal, then precision cutting capability is improved, but the ability to remove large amounts of tissue efficiently deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a Freer elevator (for precision cutting) and a shaver blade assembly (for bulk tissue removal) into a single integrated instrument. The elevator is positioned distally and can engage with the shaver blade assembly, allowing the surgeon to perform both precision cutting and automated tissue removal without switching instruments. This merging resolves the contradiction by enabling both precision capability and high productivity within one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is designed with multiple functions: the Freer elevator provides precision cutting capability while the shaver blade assembly provides automated bulk tissue removal capability. The single instrument can perform both manual resection and powered resection, making it universal for different tissue removal needs. This multi-functionality allows the device to maintain precision cutting capability while also achieving efficient bulk tissue removal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgeon switches between instruments during irrigation, then irrigation capability is improved, but procedural time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates an irrigation system directly into the shaver blade assembly by incorporating a hypotube within the assembly. This allows irrigation to be delivered directly to the surgical site during tissue removal without requiring the surgeon to switch to a separate irrigation instrument. The merging of irrigation capability with the tissue removal instrument eliminates instrument switching and reduces procedural time while maintaining effective irrigation capability.
3Productivity
If a single instrument performs both precision and bulk tissue removal, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where the shaver blade assembly is positioned within the Freer elevator, and the hypotube is nested within the shaver blade assembly. This nesting arrangement allows multiple functional components to be integrated in a compact configuration, reducing the overall complexity compared to using separate instruments. The nested design enables the single instrument to perform both precision and bulk tissue removal efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument is segmented into distinct functional modules: the Freer elevator portion for precision cutting, the shaver blade assembly for bulk tissue removal, and the hypotube for irrigation. Each segment performs a specific function, and they work together as an integrated system. This segmentation allows the complex device to be organized into manageable functional units, making it easier to operate despite the multiple capabilities.
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 device enables efficient precision and bulk tissue removal with integrated irrigation, reducing procedural time and enhancing surgical efficiency by providing both manual and power resection capabilities and irrigation functionality in a single instrument.
Implementation Method 1
the outer sheath can be configured to move in an axial direction relative to the outer shaft
Implementation Method 2
the hypotube access hole may be configured to provide irrigation to the shaver blade assembly during operation of the shaver blade assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A device having a hub assembly and a lever coupled with the hub assembly is provided. The device includes a sheath coupled with the lever and extending from the hub assembly. The sheath has a surgical elevator with a surgical elevator edge along with a hypotube having an access hole. The device has a shaver blade assembly with an outer shaft having an outer blade and an inner blade within the outer blade. The outer shaft has a stop and an access hole near the outer and inner blades. The sheath partially surrounds the outer shaft and the lever moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the surgical elevator edge abuts the outer shaft stop and the outer shaft access hole aligns with the hypotube access hole. In the second position, the surgical elevator edge is spaced apart from the outer shaft stop.