Endoscopic Cutting Instrument with Rotatable Window
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical cutting instruments require surgeons to physically contort their hands or remove the instrument to change the rotational orientation of the cutting window, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially when using image-guided surgery systems.
Innovation Solution
A surgical cutting instrument design that allows the cutting window to be rotated relative to the handpiece using an actuator, such as a wheel or electronic switch, operated by one hand, while maintaining the cutting tip at the target site, eliminating the need for both hands to apply rotational force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the surgeon physically moves or rotates the handpiece to position the cutting window, then the cutting window can be spatially positioned to expose the cutting tip to desired tissue, but the surgeon must contort hands to uncomfortable positions and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into functionally independent segments: the handpiece remains stationary while the outer tubular member (containing the cutting window) can be independently rotated relative to the handpiece. This segmentation allows the cutting window to be repositioned without moving the entire handpiece, eliminating the need for surgeons to contort their hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static handpiece configuration to a dynamic one where the outer tubular member can be rotated during the procedure. The actuator mechanism enables the cutting window to change its spatial orientation dynamically while the handpiece remains in a comfortable, fixed position for the surgeon.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgeon removes the instrument to re-orientate the handpiece and cutting window, then the cutting window can be re-positioned for tissue at different spatial locations, but the procedure time is extended due to removal and re-registration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The outer tubular member is designed to be dynamically rotatable during the surgical procedure, allowing the cutting window to be reoriented to access tissue at different spatial locations without removing the instrument. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains adaptability while eliminating time loss associated with instrument removal and re-registration.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that enables rotation of the outer tubular member and cutting window independently from the handpiece. This intermediary device allows spatial repositioning of the cutting window while the handpiece remains stationary, avoiding the need for complete instrument removal and re-registration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cutting window spatial orientation is changed by removing the instrument, then the cutting window can be re-oriented, but the cutting window/cutting tip must be re-registered relative to the IGS system
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the handpiece (which remains stationary and maintains IGS registration) from the outer tubular member containing the cutting window (which can be rotated independently). This segmentation allows the cutting window to be reoriented without affecting the registered handpiece position, eliminating the need for re-registration.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator mechanism acts as an intermediary that enables independent rotation of the cutting window from the handpiece. This intermediary system allows spatial repositioning of the cutting window while maintaining the handpiece's registered position in the IGS system, avoiding time-consuming re-registration procedures.
4Ease of operation
If both hands are used to rotate the outer tubular member, then the cutting window can be re-oriented, but the operation becomes less efficient and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves as a mechanical intermediary that converts rotational input from a single hand into the rotation of the outer tubular member. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient cutting window reorientation using only one hand, improving operational productivity while maintaining full rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual two-handed twisting motion is replaced by a mechanical actuator system that can be operated with a single hand. This substitution of the mechanical system improves productivity by enabling one-handed operation while maintaining the ability to rotate the cutting window to any desired orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of endoscopically removing tissue including providing a surgical cutting instrument including a first elongated member having a cutting tip, a second tubular member forming a cutting window, and a handpiece. The first elongated member is co-axially disposed within the second tubular member such that the cutting tip is exposed at the cutting window and combines to define a cutting implement. The first and second members are coupled to the handpiece. The method includes grasping the handpiece, deploying the instrument such that the cutting implement is adjacent a target site with the cutting window positioned at a first spatial orientation relative to the handpiece, rotating the cutting window relative to the handpiece such that the cutting window is positioned at a second spatial orientation, and moving the first elongated member relative to the second tubular member such that the cutting tip removes tissue from the target site.