Steerable Surgical Camera with Articulating Tube
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack adequate visualization tools to effectively access and remove impingements in remote surgical sites without obstructing the surgeon's view, leading to limited safety and effectiveness in procedures like lateral or central foraminal decompression.
Innovation Solution
A steerable surgical instrument with a tube assembly comprising a malleable or rigid outer tube and a flexible inner tube, equipped with a viewing assembly and actuation mechanism, allowing for single-handed control to position and steer the camera within the surgical site, enhancing visibility and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid endoscope is used for visualization, then the structural stability is maintained, but the ability to access remote surgical sites is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope incorporates an articulating distal section that can dynamically change its orientation and curvature during the procedure, allowing it to navigate complex anatomical pathways while maintaining overall structural integrity through controlled flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope uses a flexible distal section with controlled compliance to navigate remote surgical sites, while the proximal section maintains rigidity for stable handling, creating a gradient of flexibility that resolves the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the surgical instrument is introduced to the surgical site, then access to the site is improved, but the surgeon's view of the distal end is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging sensor at the distal end creates a visual copy of the surgical site, transmitting this image information back to the surgeon, thereby compensating for the obstruction caused by the instrument itself and allowing the surgeon to see around corners and through tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from direct line-of-sight visualization to indirect imaging visualization, adding a dimensional shift where the surgeon views the surgical field from a remote location through transmitted images rather than direct optical observation
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible endoscope is used to enable visualization of remote areas, then access to remote sites is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid proximal section for stable handling, a flexible articulating distal section for navigation, and an imaging section with sensor and light source, allowing each segment to be optimized independently while reducing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument for use on a patient. A tube assembly comprises an outer tube having a curved region, an inner tube disposed within the outer tube and comprising a single lumen, and a handle coupled to the outer tube. A viewing assembly is disposed within the single lumen. An actuation assembly is coupled to the inner tube and configured to steer the viewing assembly. The handle and the actuation assembly are complimentarily arranged such that the outer tube is positionable and the viewing assembly is steerable a user grasping the tube assembly with a single hand. The single lumen may define an irrigation flow path in communication with a fluid source and provide pressurized irrigation flow. An interior tube may be provided comprising an articulating region configured to articulate between a substantially curved condition and a substantially straight condition. Methods of manipulating an instrument are also disclosed.