Surgical Elevator Oximeter Tip for Tissue Oxygen Saturation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical elevators lack the capability to accurately measure tissue oxygen saturation, which is crucial for ensuring sufficient gap creation between nerves and other tissues during procedures like discectomy to prevent nerve compression and damage.
Innovation Solution
A surgical elevator equipped with an oximeter sensor at its tip, featuring optical fibers and an epoxy covering, allows for the measurement of oxygen saturation by emitting and receiving radiation, providing real-time data to surgeons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional surgical elevators are used without oximeter sensors, then the device structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but the capability to measure tissue oxygen saturation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the surgical elevator tool with an oximeter sensor system into a single integrated device. The elevator blade and sensor assembly work together as one unified instrument, allowing surgeons to perform both mechanical dissection and oxygen saturation measurement without switching between separate tools. This merging resolves the contradiction by accepting increased device complexity in exchange for gaining essential measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical elevator is transformed into a multi-functional device that performs both its traditional mechanical function (tissue separation and gap creation) and a new diagnostic function (tissue oxygen saturation measurement). The oximeter sensor integrated into the elevator tip enables the same device to serve multiple purposes, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and measurement capability.
2Reliability
If optical fibers are integrated into the elevator tip with epoxy covering, then the sensor is protected and measurement reliability improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The epoxy acts as an intermediary material that bonds the optical fibers to the elevator blade while providing mechanical protection and environmental sealing. This intermediary substance resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable sensor integration without requiring complex assembly mechanisms, as the epoxy simultaneously provides structural support, protection, and optical fiber fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The epoxy coating changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sensor assembly interface, providing adhesion, mechanical strength, and environmental protection. By modifying the material properties at the interface between optical fibers and blade, the epoxy enables reliable integration while maintaining manufacturability through a straightforward coating process rather than complex mechanical assembly.
3Measurement precision
If the elevator tip is made thin (2mm or less) for precise gap measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator tip employs composite construction combining the blade material with integrated optical sensor components. This composite structure allows the tip to maintain reduced thickness for precise gap measurement (2mm or less) while the composite nature provides enhanced structural integrity and strength, resolving the contradiction between thinness for accuracy and strength for durability.
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
Enables precise measurement of tissue oxygen saturation, aiding surgeons in determining adequate gap creation, thereby reducing the risk of nerve compression and permanent damage during spinal surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
a first optical fiber coupled to the first opening, a second optical fiber coupled to the second opening
Implementation Method 2
measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical elevator medical instrument has an oximeter sensor at its tip. The oximeter sensor allows measuring of oxygen saturation of a tissue. The tip has a blade including a first side and a second side. Optical or electronic components of the oximeter sensor are mounted or attached to the first or second side, or both. In an implementation, openings can pass from the first side to the second side. The openings can be unconcealed on one side of the blade.