Adjustable Surgical Depth Stop With Orientation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical devices lack precise control over insertion orientation and depth into human or animal anatomy, necessitating improved fixtures for accurate adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A depth stop system mechanically coupled to a surgical device, comprising a base portion, a depth slider portion, a gear raiser portion, and an attachment mechanism, allowing for controlled adjustment of the surgical device's position and orientation relative to anatomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a fixture device is used to control insertion depth and orientation, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion depth controlVSAvoidfixture device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture device is divided into distinct functional modules: a depth stop mechanism with adjustable depth settings, a separate orientation control system with angular adjustments, and a mounting interface. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall precision, reducing the complexity burden on any single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The depth stop mechanism incorporates movable components that allow dynamic adjustment of insertion depth during the surgical procedure. The orientation control system similarly enables real-time angular adjustments, transforming a static fixture into a dynamic system that adapts to surgical needs while maintaining precision through controlled movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If fine adjustments of insertion orientation and depth are enabled, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion orientation controlVSAvoidadjustment operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The orientation control system employs an intermediary mechanism consisting of angular adjustment knobs and graduated scales that mediate between the user's manual input and the precise angular positioning of the surgical device. This intermediary layer translates coarse manual adjustments into fine angular control, maintaining precision while improving operational ease through intuitive interface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows operators to adjust key parameters such as insertion depth and orientation angle through clearly marked scales and incremental adjustment mechanisms. By changing physical parameters in a controlled, measurable way with visual feedback, the system maintains high precision while making adjustments straightforward and easy to verify during the surgical procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250275826A1Adjustable depth stop system for surgical accessory

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 CLEARPOINT NEURO INC

AI summary

A depth stop system can be mechanically coupled to a surgical device for controlling the orientation and/or surgical depth of the surgical device into anatomy. Some non-limiting examples of surgical devices are side-firing laser catheters, biopsy needles, MER probes, deep brain stimulation (DBS) leads and radially branching cannulas.