Surgical Guidance Device with Ball Socket for Needle Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current non-invasive surgical procedures, such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy, require precise needle placement to avoid damaging kidneys or surrounding tissues, which can be challenging even with medical imaging, often necessitating experienced professionals and radiological assistance due to the complexity of anatomical visualization.

Innovation Solution

A surgical guidance system comprising a base member with a ball socket support and a guide with a radiopaque member, allowing for adjustable angular orientation and secure fixation to the skin, facilitating precise placement of insertion devices like needles under fluoroscopic guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If fluoroscopy is used to locate kidney and track needle, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases and requires experienced professionals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneedle placement precisionVSAvoidprocedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A physical guidance device with adjustable needle guide and base plate serves as an intermediary tool between the fluoroscopy system and the needle placement operation. The device mechanically translates the desired trajectory into precise needle positioning, reducing reliance on operator skill while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely operator-dependent manual needle placement technique with a mechanical guidance system that uses adjustable guides, locks, and physical structures to automatically ensure precise positioning, thereby reducing procedure complexity and the need for extensive professional experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manual needle placement is performed, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to difficulty in maintaining consistent angle and position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidneedle placement consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guide is designed to be dynamically adjustable in angle and position relative to the base plate, allowing the operator to configure it for different anatomical targets while the locked position ensures consistent, repeatable placement. This combines ease of setup with precision execution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows changing of geometric parameters (angle, position) of the needle guide through simple mechanical adjustment and locking, enabling consistent precision across different procedures without requiring complex recalibration or advanced skill

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If adjustable needle guide is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveangular adjustment capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guidance device is segmented into independent functional components (base plate, needle guide, locking mechanism) that can be individually adjusted and positioned. This modular approach provides adaptability while keeping each component relatively simple in structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The use of a ball-and-socket joint configuration allows the needle guide to be adjusted to multiple angles through simple rotational movements, providing high adaptability with minimal structural complexity compared to multi-axis mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3629956B1Surgical guidance systems and devices
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 BOSTON SCI MEDICAL DEVICE LTD
  • EP3629956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3629956B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3629956B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A guidance device may include a base member, a support coupled to the base member, and a guide coupled to the support. The guide may be movable relative to the base member and may include a through hole extending therethrough.