Surgical Access Assembly with Radiused Tip and Perforated Patties
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical techniques for accessing brain tissue are invasive and can cause trauma due to the use of blunt instruments, and existing surgical patties can adhere to and abrade delicate neuro-vascular tissues, leading to potential neurological deficits.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access assembly with a hollow outer sheath and a selectively removable obturator featuring a radiused distal tip and imaging mechanisms for real-time visualization, along with improved surgical patties with non-abrasive and perforated surfaces to minimize tissue damage and improve handling of surgical strings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional blunt surgical instruments are used to access brain tissue, then surgical access can be obtained, but tissue trauma and damage to delicate neuro-vascular structures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator features a radiused distal tip instead of a blunt or sharp edge, creating a curved surface that distributes mechanical stress during tissue dilation. This curved geometry allows atraumatic passage through brain tissue while maintaining structural integrity of the instrument
Solution Approach 2:
The instrument design changes the physical parameters of the distal end from blunt to radiused, altering how force is distributed during tissue interaction. This parameter modification enables the same instrument to achieve surgical access while reducing peak stresses that cause tissue trauma
2Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional surgical patties are used to protect tissue, then coverage is provided, but the patties adhere to and abrade delicate neuro-vascular tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical patty incorporates a porous surface structure that reduces adhesion forces between the patty and delicate brain tissue. The porous architecture allows tissue to pass through or rest on the open structure without adhering to solid surfaces, thereby preventing abrasion during manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The perforated surface acts as an intermediary between the protective patty and the delicate neuro-vascular tissue, preventing direct contact and adhesion while maintaining the protective coverage function
3Measurement precision
If imaging mechanisms are added to the surgical access assembly, then real-time visualization of critical structures is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging mechanism is integrated into the existing surgical access assembly, merging multiple functions (access and visualization) into a single unified device. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system while providing real-time imaging capability
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access assembly is described that includes an outer sheath and a selectively removable obturator. The outer sheath is defined by an open distal end and an open proximal end and includes a hollow body portion therebetween. The obturator is defined by a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end further comprises a tapered distal tip member. The obturator is configured to be received within the outer sheath such that the tapered distal tip member protrudes from the open distal end of the outer sheath when the obturator is in an introducing configuration. The outer sheath further includes a gripping member, wherein the gripping member includes at least one retaining notch formed on an outer surface thereof.