Disposable Surgical Guide for Carpal Tunnel Tissue Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical tools for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment are cumbersome, require disinfection and sterilization, and present a learning curve for surgeons, while causing discomfort to patients, due to their non-disposable nature.

Innovation Solution

A disposable surgical guide with a round rod expander, integrated long column body, wing-shaped part, and limiting piece, equipped with a semi-cylinder, thread, elongated slot, and photo-taking element for precise tissue expansion and cutting, facilitating easier and more comfortable surgery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If commercially available surgical tools are used for carpal tunnel syndrome operation, then the surgeon can monitor the cutting position with light source, camera lens and display, but the devices require disinfection and sterilization before operation and present difficulty and learning curve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting position monitoringVSAvoiddisinfection and sterilization procedure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable surgical guide instrument that is discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for complex disinfection and sterilization procedures. The guide includes integrated features such as a long column body with elongated slot, wing-shaped part for positioning, and limiting piece to ensure precise cutting while maintaining simplicity and disposability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Measurement precision

If commercially available surgical tools are used for carpal tunnel syndrome operation, then the surgeon can see the actual cutting position during operation, but the procedure becomes more difficult and time-consuming due to sterilization requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting position visibilityVSAvoidsterilization preparation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable nature of the surgical guide eliminates time-consuming sterilization preparation. The guide is pre-packaged and ready for immediate use, reducing preparation time while maintaining cutting precision through its integrated design features including the elongated slot for blade guidance and limiting piece for depth control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Measurement precision

If traditional surgical instruments are used for wrist tunnel syndrome, then the procedure can be performed with monitoring devices, but patient discomfort increases due to the complexity and non-disposable nature of the instruments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical monitoring capabilityVSAvoidpatient discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable surgical guide reduces patient discomfort by eliminating the need for repeated sterilization processes that can cause delays and increase procedural complexity. The guide's simple design with integrated features (elongated slot, wing-shaped part, limiting piece) allows for precise surgery without the burden of complex monitoring device setup, thereby reducing overall patient discomfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If open or endoscopic surgery is performed to release the transverse ligament, then the median nerve pressure is relieved, but the procedure requires complex surgical techniques and monitoring equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenerve pressure relief effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical technique complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The disposable surgical guide simplifies the surgical technique required for effective nerve pressure relief. The guide's integrated design features, including the elongated slot for precise blade positioning and the limiting piece for controlled ligament incision, enable reliable transverse ligament release without requiring complex endoscopic equipment or advanced surgical techniques, thereby maintaining effectiveness while reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3533397B1Guide for surgical purpose
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 KAOHSIUNG MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
  • EP3533397B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3533397B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This invention provides a guide for operation, comprising: a long column body, being in a hollow shape, an upper side thereof having a semi-cylinder, a bottom side thereof having a cuboid, and an inside thereof being provided with an elongated slot, in which an interior of the semi-cylinder is in communication with an interior of the cuboid; a wing-shaped part, being in a wing shape, and disposed at one end of the long column body and engaged with one side of the cuboid and extending from both ends of the one side of the cuboid, for grasping during surgery; a limiting piece, being in a ring shape and socketing the other end of the long column body and engaging with the other side of the cuboid, for withstanding the tissues during surgery; and a replaceable expander, being disposed in the elongated slot, for expanding and opening a surgical incision of tissues, wherein the replaceable expander is replaceable with another expander of different dimension in a stepwise manner via the one side of the cuboid proximate to the wing-shaped part and inside the elongated slot, thereby for expanding.