Nested Sinus Access System with Graded Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing paranasal sinuses during surgery, such as FESS, face challenges due to anatomical obstructions and variations, leading to collateral damage and limited access, as existing devices struggle to navigate complex sinus anatomy effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a straight rigid supporter, a curved semi-rigid supporter, and a straight semi-rigid supporter, each made of shape memory materials with graded rigidity, allowing for flexible navigation through the sinus cavity by conforming to different shapes and angles, reducing tissue damage and improving access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid surgical instruments are used to access paranasal sinuses, then surgical precision is improved, but tissue damage increases due to inability to navigate complex anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The access system is divided into multiple nested tubular members (outer tubular member, inner tubular member, stylet) that can be independently positioned and shaped. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific functions while collectively enabling precise navigation through complex sinus anatomy without damaging surrounding tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tubular member is designed with a curved shape made of superelastic material that can be selectively advanced along a curvilinear trajectory. This curvature capability allows the instrument to navigate around anatomical obstacles such as uncinate processes and deviated septa, maintaining surgical precision while avoiding tissue damage by following the natural contours of the sinus cavity.
2Illumination intensity
If the endoscope provides direct visualization, then surgical visibility is improved, but access to hidden areas is limited due to anatomical obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The access system employs nested tubular members where the inner tubular member is slidably coupled within the outer tubular member, and the stylet is slidably coupled within the inner tubular member. This nested configuration allows the stylet to be advanced through the curved inner tubular member to reach hidden sinus areas that are not directly visible to the endoscope, thereby extending surgical visibility to previously inaccessible regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved inner tubular member acts as an intermediary between the endoscope and the hidden sinus areas. It provides a flexible conduit that can be positioned to reach around anatomical obstructions, allowing the stylet to deliver instruments or samples to areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, thus mediating the connection between the visible surgical field and hidden target areas.
3Ease of operation
If normal healthy anatomic structures are removed to improve access, then surgical access is improved, but collateral damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access system employs dynamic positioning of the tubular members and stylet, allowing the surgeon to selectively advance and retract each component as needed. This dynamic capability enables the instruments to be positioned precisely at the target area without requiring removal of healthy anatomical structures, thereby improving surgical access while minimizing collateral damage through controlled, reversible positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in the physical state and flexibility of the tubular members and stylet to navigate anatomy. The superelastic material of the inner tubular member allows it to be flexed and shaped to fit around anatomical obstacles, and the stylet can be advanced or retracted as needed. These parameter changes enable access to hidden areas without requiring removal of healthy structures, reducing collateral damage while maintaining ease of operation.
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 system enables precise and minimally invasive access to paranasal sinuses by dynamically adjusting its path to fit the patient's anatomy, reducing tissue trauma and enhancing surgical visibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a curved portion of said innermost curved supporter (154) being made of a shape memory material and having a curved shape memory
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2F
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A system for accessing a nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses in the head of a patient, the system including a weak straight supporter, a curved supporter and a strong straight supporter, the weak straight supporter being made of a shape memory material and having a straight shape memory, the curved supporter having a curved shape memory, the curved supporter having rigidity which exceeds that of the weak straight supporter, the strong straight supporter having rigidity which exceeds that of the curved supporter, wherein when the strong straight supporter overlaps the curved supporter, an overlapped portion of the curved supporter conforms to the straight shape of the strong straight supporter, and wherein when the curved supporter overlaps the weak straight supporter, an overlapped portion of the weak straight supporter conforms to the curved shape of the curved supporter, the supporters are slidably coupled therebetween.