Sliding Blade Tendon Sheath Release Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional tendon sheath release surgeries are invasive, costly, and require hospital settings, posing risks to patients and incurring high costs, while existing methods fail to provide a minimally invasive solution for safely and quickly performing the procedure in a surgeon's office.
Innovation Solution
A precisely guided scalpel device with a retractable cutting shaft and guide probes allows for a minimally invasive tendon sheath release through a significantly smaller incision, using fluoroscopy or ultrasound for precise placement and minimal tissue disruption, enabling the procedure to be performed safely and quickly in an office setting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If traditional open operation with conventional scalpel is used, then the pulley can be released, but the incision size is large (1.5 to 2.0 cm) and tissue disruption is extensive
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cutting function from the guidance function, with a separate guide probe for positioning and a retractable blade for cutting. This allows the blade to be much smaller than a conventional scalpel while maintaining precise control through the guide mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide probe as an intermediary that positions and guides the retractable blade. This intermediary mechanism enables precise pulley release through a small incision by mediating between the external control and the internal cutting action.
2Reliability
If traditional open operation is performed in operating room, then complete pulley release is achieved, but patient risk increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to be deployed only when needed and retracted when not in use. This dynamic design reduces patient risk by minimizing exposure to sharp edges while maintaining the cutting capability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide probe is inserted and positioned under fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance before the blade is deployed. This preliminary positioning action ensures accurate placement and reduces risk by confirming correct positioning before the cutting function is activated.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional scalpel is used, then cutting is effective, but incision size is large requiring multiple stitches
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting function is extracted from a large scalpel blade and concentrated into a small, focused retractable blade that can be precisely positioned. This extraction allows effective cutting through a much smaller incision area, eliminating the need for large incisions and multiple stitches.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive approach is used with small incision, then tissue disruption is minimal, but precise positioning and cutting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with image-guided positioning using fluoroscopy or ultrasound. This substitution provides precise measurement and confirmation of blade position under the pulley without requiring large incisions or extensive tissue disruption.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for minimally invasive tendon sheath release is presented. The device enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. The device is generally comprised of a shaft having a guide probe at a distal end and a slidable blade positioned to slide longitudinally from the proximal to the distal end of the device. The device is inserted through a small incision and the guide probe is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. After proper position is assured, a cutting blade is deployed by sliding the blade from the proximal to the distal end of the device until the pulley is completely released or where resistance is no longer felt.