Micro-invasive Tissue Cutting Device with Rotatable Blade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing micro-invasive surgical devices for treating trigger finger, such as those using hook blades, tend to slide off the tendon and require additional devices for skin penetration, making them inefficient and invasive.
Innovation Solution
A micro-invasive tissue cutting device with a first blade for skin penetration and a second rotatable blade that is initially protected and only exposed for cutting, allowing for precise tissue cutting while minimizing invasiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hook blade is used to cut the A1 pulley, then the cutting function is achieved, but the device tends to slide off the tendon
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate blades: a first blade for skin penetration and a second blade for cutting the A1 pulley. This segmentation allows each blade to be optimized for its specific function, with the second blade designed to engage the tendon securely without sliding off.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single blade that must both penetrate skin and cut tissue (which causes sliding), the invention inverts the approach by using two blades in sequence: first a penetration blade, then a cutting blade that is deployed after skin penetration is complete, eliminating the sliding problem.
2Productivity
If a hook blade is used for cutting, then the A1 pulley can be cut, but an additional separate device is required to introduce the blade into the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the skin penetration function and the cutting function into a single integrated device. The first blade is used to penetrate the skin, and then the second blade is deployed from the same device to cut the A1 pulley, eliminating the need for a separate introduction device and improving procedural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The single device performs multiple functions: the first blade penetrates the skin, and the second blade cuts the A1 pulley. This multi-functionality within one device reduces the total number of devices needed and streamlines the procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the second blade is always exposed, then cutting is always possible, but the device becomes more invasive and less safe
Solution Approach 1:
The first blade penetrates the skin first as a preliminary action, creating a safe pathway. Only after this preliminary penetration is complete is the second blade exposed and deployed for cutting. This sequential approach minimizes invasiveness while maintaining cutting accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The second blade transitions from a hidden state to an exposed state dynamically, only when needed for cutting. This dynamic deployment allows the blade to be protected during skin penetration and only exposed when the cutting function is required, reducing unnecessary invasiveness while maintaining operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a tissue cutting device comprising a handle, a first blade. and a second blade. The second blade is coupled to the handle. The second blade is rotatable relative to the first blade such that the second blade is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. The second blade is in a same plane as the first blade when the second blade is in the first position. The second blade is rotated into a different plane from the first blade when the second blade is rotated from the first position toward the second position.