Surgical Instrument Bending Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments face limitations in providing a consistent and predictable tissue-coagulating effect, especially when bent, as the spatial relationship between electrosurgical electrodes and cutting windows is disrupted during bending, requiring a solution that maintains alignment and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A surgical blade assembly with an intermediate and outer tube configuration, featuring a weakened portion to accommodate bending without distorting the spatial positioning, combined with an electrically insulating layer and contacts for RF energy supply, ensuring consistent coagulation and mechanical cutting at the same site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument is bent to access difficult surgical sites, then adaptability is improved, but the spatial relationship between electrosurgical electrodes and cutting windows is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument shaft is divided into multiple segments including a proximal shaft segment, a distal shaft segment, and an intermediate shaft segment. These segments can be bent relative to each other at defined junctions, allowing the instrument to adapt to different surgical angles while keeping the cutting window and electrode spatial relationship intact within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bendable joints are located specifically at the junctions between shaft segments, while the cutting window and electrode maintain their precise spatial relationship in the distal segment. This localized flexibility allows adaptation without compromising the critical spatial relationship at the treatment site.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate mechanical cutting and electrosurgical coagulation devices are used, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and procedural time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument combines a mechanical cutting element (rotating burr or shaver) and an electrosurgical electrode within a single integrated shaft. Both functions are delivered through the same distal end, allowing simultaneous or sequential use without requiring separate devices or adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The single instrument serves multiple functions: mechanical cutting via the rotating element, electrosurgical coagulation via the electrode, and irrigation/suction through the lumen. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate devices while maintaining all required capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the cutting window and electrode are positioned on opposite sides of the instrument, then mechanical cutting and coagulation can be performed, but consistent tissue coagulation effect cannot be ensured when bent
Solution Approach 1:
The shaft is segmented to allow bending at controlled junctions while maintaining the fixed spatial relationship between the cutting window and electrode within the distal segment. This ensures that regardless of overall instrument orientation, the relative positioning of cutting and coagulation elements remains consistent for reliable tissue treatment.
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
The solution allows for precise and consistent tissue cutting and coagulation at the same site, maintaining alignment and functionality even when the instrument is bent, enhancing surgical efficiency by minimizing the need to reorient the device for coagulation.
Implementation Method 1
a cutting tool disposed at the distal end of the inner tube such that the cutting tool is accessible through the cutting window of the intermediate tube, the cutting tool including a cut-out defining a tissue-cutting edge
Implementation Method 2
there are first and second contacts respectively associated with the outer and intermediate tubes for connecting the tubes to respective poles of an electrosurgical generator. In this way a coagulating radio frequency signal is supplied between the outer and intermediate tubes and hence the material surrounding the cutting window in the intermediate tube and that surrounding the opening in the outer tube
Implementation Method 3
an inner hollow tube rotatably mounted in the central passageway of the intermediate tube and providing a central suction lumen
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument comprises a hollow tube (18) having a cutting window (16) at the distal end portion. An inner tube (15) is disposed within the tube (18) and is mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A cutting tool (17) is located at the distal end of the tube (15), and is positioned adjacent to the cutting window (16). An outer tube (14) is provided over the tube (18). A motor (5) is provided for rotating the inner tube (15), and saline is fed to the cutting window (16) via a passageway (25) between the tubes (15) and (18). The inner tube (15) has a central lumen (24) through which tissue cut by the cutting tool (17) is removed under the action of a source of suction (12). The outer surface of the tube (18) is covered with an electrically insulating layer (22) and coagulating RF signals are supplied between the tube (18) and the outer tube (14) so as to coagulate tissue at the cutting window (16). A weakened portion (43) of the outer tube (14) ensures that when the outer tube (14) and hollow tube (18) are bent to form a curved portion (42), the relative positioning of the respective distal ends of the tubes (14) and (18) is maintained.