Sinus Illumination Lightwire Device for FESS

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimally invasive sinus surgery techniques, such as FESS, face challenges including significant post-operative pain, bleeding, nasal packing discomfort, and risks of iatrogenic injuries due to the use of straight, rigid instruments, which also require fluoroscopic visualization to accurately position devices within the sinuses.

Innovation Solution

An illuminating guidewire device with a flexible distal portion and a proximal portion that includes a connector, featuring illumination fibers and a core wire, allowing for transillumination to confirm the device's position within the sinuses without the need for fluoroscopic visualization, enabling more precise and less invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluoroscopic visualization is used to accurately position devices within the sinuses, then positioning accuracy is improved, but patient radiation exposure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces light-emitting fibers as an intermediary visualization method. Instead of using fluoroscopy directly, the device uses optical fibers to emit light that illuminates sinus structures, allowing visualization through endoscopic or transillumination methods that do not involve ionizing radiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/radiographic fluoroscopy system with an optical illumination system. Light-emitting fibers substitute for the fluoroscopic imaging mechanism, providing visualization through photonic means rather than radiographic detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If straight, rigid instruments are used in sinus surgery, then surgical precision is improved, but tissue trauma and post-operative complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs curved or flexible instruments rather than straight, rigid ones. The curved design allows the instrument to follow the natural anatomical pathways of the sinus structures, reducing the need to force through tissue and thereby minimizing trauma while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses flexible instrument shafts or catheters that can bend and conform to the sinus anatomy. This flexibility allows navigation through complex pathways without requiring rigid force, reducing tissue damage while maintaining the ability to reach target locations with precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-generated harmful factors

If minimally invasive techniques are used to reduce tissue trauma, then post-operative pain and bleeding are reduced, but procedural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepost-operative pain and bleedingVSAvoidprocedural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated device. The instrument integrates illumination fibers, working channels for surgical tools, and visualization capabilities into one minimally invasive platform, reducing the number of separate procedures or devices needed while maintaining minimal tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal minimally invasive device that can perform multiple functions: illumination, visualization, drug delivery, and surgical manipulation. This multi-functionality reduces procedural complexity by eliminating the need for multiple separate interventions while maintaining the benefits of minimal invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 illuminating guidewire device reduces the need for fluoroscopic visualization, minimizes tissue trauma, and enhances procedural accuracy, thereby reducing pain, bleeding, and complications associated with sinus surgery, while allowing for more effective drainage and treatment of sinusitis.

Implementation Method 1

an illuminating guidewire device with a flexible distal portion and a proximal portion that includes a connector, featuring illumination fibers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

allowing for transillumination to confirm the device's position within the sinuses without the need for fluoroscopic visualization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransillumination: Light

Data Source

PatentUS9155492B2Sinus illumination lightwire device

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 ACCLARENT INC

AI summary

An illuminating wire medical device may include an elongate flexible housing and an illuminating fiber and a core wire extending through at least part of the housing, the core wire providing desired pushability and torquability. The illuminating device may further include a connector assembly cooperating with the illuminating fiber to accommodate changes in length, to absorb forces applied during use of the device and to channel errant light away from the illuminating fibers of the device.