Separable Cannula for Minimally Invasive Tongue Advancer Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing tongue manipulation devices are complex and invasive, requiring extensive surgery due to the difficulty in locating and extracting the implanted tongue advancer and tether line, which can lead to patient discomfort and increased risk of complications.
Innovation Solution
A connection tool and removal tool system that includes a separable cannula part, a removal sleeve, and a tensioner to facilitate the efficient location and retraction of the tongue advancer, allowing for minimally invasive removal by following the tether line and applying tension to ensure secure contact and extraction without damaging the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical methods are used to remove the tongue manipulation device, then the device can be removed, but the surgery becomes extensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The removal system is divided into separate components: a removal tool with a cannula that follows the tether line to the tongue advancer, and a separate engagement mechanism. This segmentation allows the surgery to be performed in staged steps rather than requiring extensive open surgery to access and remove the entire device at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary removal tool and cannula system that mediates between the external surgical access point and the implanted tongue advancer. The cannula follows the existing tether line path to reach the device, serving as an intermediary conduit that eliminates the need for extensive dissection and direct exposure of the implant site.
2Reliability
If the tongue advancer is implanted within the tongue tissue, then the device provides effective tongue advancement, but locating and extracting the device becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The removal cannula is designed to follow the continuous path of the existing tether line from the external access point through the tissue to the tongue advancer. This continuous following of the tether line's trajectory eliminates the need to separately locate the device, as the tether line itself guides the removal tool directly to the implant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent describes the use of visual indicators or markers (analogous to color changes) on or near the tongue advancer or tether line that help surgeons identify the device location and follow the tether line path during the minimally invasive removal procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the removal sleeve contacts the tongue advancer through the separable removal cannula part, then the device can be retracted, but the cannula must be separated from the tool body
Solution Approach 1:
The removal system uses a separable cannula that can be detached from the tool body after the tongue advancer is engaged and retracted. This segmentation allows the cannula to be inserted and positioned independently, then separated to allow retrieval of the tongue advancer, simplifying the overall removal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The separable cannula is pre-positioned and configured before the actual retraction operation. The cannula is inserted, the tongue advancer is engaged through the cannula, and only then is the cannula separated from the tool body for final device retrieval. This preliminary positioning reduces the complexity of the separation step.
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
Enables safe and efficient removal of the tongue manipulation device, reducing patient discomfort and surgical complexity, while allowing for post-removal analysis of the device for damage or failure assessment.
Implementation Method 1
a tensioner configured to apply a tension or pulling force to the connector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A connection tool for a tongue manipulation system comprising: a connector configured to be coupled to a tongue advancer tether (801); a connection tool body (1313) and separable removal cannula part (1315) configured to follow a tongue advancer tether line (801) in order to enable a removal sleeve (1335) located at least partially within the separable removal cannula part (1315) to contact the tongue advancer (305), the separable removal cannula part (1315) being configured to be separated from the connection tool body (1313) following the removal sleeve (1335) contacting the tongue advancer (305) and to expose a proximal end of the removal sleeve (1335).