Spinal Endoscope Working Sleeve Positioning for Compact Surgical Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spinal endoscopes face issues with a working sleeve and transforaminal endoscope assembly that cannot be assembled or disassembled, leading to large incisions and tissue trauma due to a large diameter working channel.

Innovation Solution

A spinal endoscope design with a transforaminal endoscope assembly and a movably connected working sleeve, facilitated by a positioning connecting assembly that allows adjustment and locking of the working sleeve's position, enabling easy assembly, disassembly, and cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the working sleeve and transforaminal endoscope assembly are made non-disassemblable, then the structure is simpler, but cleaning and disinfection become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidcleaning and disinfection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the working sleeve can be detached from the transforaminal endoscope assembly through the positioning connecting assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be independently cleaned and disinfected, solving the contradiction between structural simplicity and ease of maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the working channel diameter is large, then surgical tool operation space is sufficient, but incision size and tissue trauma increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical tool operation spaceVSAvoidincision size and tissue trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope pipeline is nested within the working sleeve, with the endoscope positioned centrally inside the sleeve structure. This nesting arrangement allows the surgical tools to operate within the compact endoscope channel while the working sleeve provides additional structural support and positioning, achieving sufficient operation space without requiring a large external diameter that would increase incision size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Facilitates precise surgical tool operation with minimal incision and trauma by allowing adjustable positioning of the working sleeve, enhancing surgical accuracy and postoperative recovery.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic part fixed on the button structure, one end of the elastic part is fixedly connected to the button structure, and the other end thereof is in mutual contact with the endoscope pipeline

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4616786A1Spinal endoscope with localizable working sleeve
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 SHANGHAI REACH MEDICAL INSTR
  • EP4616786A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4616786A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4616786A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention discloses a spinal endoscope positionable with a working sleeve, including a transforaminal endoscope assembly, a working sleeve movably connected with the transforaminal endoscope assembly, and a positioning connecting assembly used for fixing the transforaminal endoscope assembly and the working sleeve; wherein the transforaminal endoscope assembly is provided with a fixed block through which an endoscope pipeline penetrates; a handpiece is fixedly connected to a periphery, close to the transforaminal endoscope assembly, on the working sleeve, an end, away from the transforaminal endoscope assembly, of the endoscope pipeline extends into the working sleeve, and at the same time, an outer arc surface of the endoscope pipeline is fitted to an inner surface of the working sleeve; and the positioning connecting assembly is fixedly connected to the endoscope pipeline, when the positioning connecting assembly is pressed, the working sleeve is movable along a length direction of the endoscope pipeline, and when the working sleeve is adjusted to an appropriate position, the positioning connecting assembly is released to fix the working sleeve. According to the invention, a position of a transforaminal endoscope in the working sleeve is adjusted, which facilitates positioning; and the working sleeve and the transforaminal endoscope are assembled while being disassembled, which facilitates cleaning and disinfection. Due to surface fitting, the transforaminal endoscope occupies the minimum working space and retains the maximum operation space of a working channel, thereby facilitating surgical operation.