Soft Tissue Cutting Device with Visualization and Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current carpal tunnel release procedures have long recovery times due to the difficulty in healing the frequently moving area of the palm, and existing less invasive devices may benefit from additional visualization and sensing options to accurately locate and cut the transverse carpal ligament while avoiding nearby nerves and blood vessels.
Innovation Solution
A soft tissue cutting device with a visualization component, such as a camera, light fiber, or ultrasound transducer, and a pressure sensor, which includes a shaft with a blade for cutting the transverse carpal ligament, and inflatable balloons to move soft tissues away from the blade, allowing for precise cutting and pressure sensing before and after the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard open CTR procedure is performed, then the transverse carpal ligament can be effectively cut to reduce median nerve compression, but the incision on the palm results in long recovery times due to the difficulty of healing in a frequently moving area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cutting function from an open surgical procedure and relocates it to a minimally invasive percutaneous approach. The blade is delivered through a small incision or puncture rather than a large open incision, removing the harmful large wound while preserving the essential ligament cutting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible catheter-like shaft that can navigate through soft tissue to reach the transverse carpal ligament. This flexible delivery system allows the cutting blade to be positioned at the target site through minimal access, avoiding the need for large open incisions and subsequent prolonged healing.
2Loss of information
If external ultrasound visualization is used to locate the transverse carpal ligament and avoid nerves and blood vessels, then visualization is achieved, but additional internal visualization and sensing options would provide better real-time feedback for precise cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (visualization, sensing, and cutting) into a single integrated device. The shaft incorporates both visualization members (cameras, light fibers, or ultrasound transducers) and cutting blades, allowing simultaneous real-time imaging and therapeutic intervention without requiring separate external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback through visualization members that provide live imaging of the carpal tunnel region during the procedure. This allows the operator to see anatomical structures, confirm blade position, verify ligament cutting, and ensure nerve and vessel avoidance, creating a closed-loop control system for enhanced precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If inflatable balloons are added to move soft tissues away from the blade, then cutting precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by inflating the balloons before blade deployment to pre-position and clear soft tissues from the cutting path. This preparatory tissue retraction creates a safe working zone, ensuring that when the blade is activated, no nerves or vessels are in the immediate vicinity, thereby enhancing cutting precision and safety.
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 device enables more precise and less invasive carpal tunnel release procedures by providing real-time visualization and pressure feedback, potentially reducing recovery time and improving the accuracy of the surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a visualization member on the distal end of the shaft to visualize at least one anatomical landmark... The visualization member may include, but is not limited to, a camera, a light fiber, and an ultrasound transducer
Implementation Method 2
sensing pressure within the carpal tunnel using a pressure sensor in the soft tissue cutting device... sensing a first pressure before cutting the transverse carpal ligament and sensing a second pressure after cutting the transverse carpal ligament
Implementation Method 3
at least one balloon coupled with the shaft and configured to move one or more soft tissues away from the blade
Data Source
AI summary
A method of performing a carpal tunnel release procedure on a hand may involve advancing a shaft of a soft tissue cutting device into the hand, positioning a distal end of the shaft at or near a carpal tunnel, sensing a first pressure in the hand, using a pressure sensor of the soft tissue cutting device, moving a blade along the shaft to cut a transverse carpal ligament, and sensing a second pressure in the hand, using the pressure sensor.