Surgical Tool Sheath Coupling for Angle Adjustment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical tools require multiple blades with different angled configurations for various surgical needs, leading to high costs and inventory requirements, as existing flexible-shaft designs are unreliable for repeated angle adjustments or require continuous pressure to maintain orientation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool system featuring a main unit with flexible inner and outer tubes that can be coupled with multiple rigid sheaths of varying shapes and orientations, allowing for adjustable cutting window alignment using detachable connectors and flexible portions that can bend radially, enabling a single blade to be used across multiple surgical applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple surgical cutting blades with different angled configurations are used to accommodate various surgical needs, then the adaptability and versatility of surgical tools is improved, but the device complexity, cost, and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical cutting blade is designed with a universal main unit that can be coupled with multiple rigid sheaths of different shapes and orientations. This allows a single blade to perform multiple surgical functions by simply changing the attached sheath, eliminating the need for multiple specialized blades and reducing inventory complexity while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical cutting blade is divided into a main unit and separate rigid sheaths that can be independently selected and attached. This segmentation allows the system to achieve versatility through modular combinations rather than requiring multiple complete blade assemblies, reducing overall device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible surgical cutting blade is bent to a desired angle and held in place using a lever arm, then the adaptability of the blade is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the lever cannot be locked into place and requires continuous pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static bent blade design to a dynamic configuration where the rigid sheath can be attached at various angles to the main unit. The connector allows the sheath to be positioned and locked at different orientations, providing adaptability without requiring continuous manual pressure to maintain the angle
Solution Approach 2:
A connector is introduced as an intermediary element between the main unit and the rigid sheath. This connector enables reliable angular adjustment and locking mechanisms that hold the sheath at desired angles without requiring continuous manual pressure, thereby improving reliability while maintaining adaptability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a surgical cutting blade is initially straight and bent to a desired angle during surgery, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because any rebend to obtain a different angled configuration is not effective or reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic reconfiguration by enabling the detached and reattached rigid sheath to be positioned at different angles. Unlike a permanently bent flexible blade, the rigid sheath can be reliably repositioned and relocked multiple times, maintaining both adaptability and reliability through repeated angle changes
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the cutting blade into a main unit and a detachable rigid sheath, the system enables the sheath to be removed and reattached at different angles. This segmentation allows reliable rebending through reattachment rather than physical rebending, maintaining effectiveness and reliability across multiple angle adjustments
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
This solution allows surgeons to use a single surgical tool for various procedures without the need for multiple blades, reducing costs and inventory, while providing reliable and adjustable angle configurations without the need for continuous pressure or limited directional bending.
Implementation Method 1
The inner tube includes a flexible portion located between the first end and the second end. The outer tube includes a flexible portion located between the first end and the second end. The flexible portions can bend radially and conform to the curvature of the rigid sheath.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A surgical tool can include a main unit and a first rigid sheath. The main unit includes an inner tube that is received within an outer tube. The first rigid sheath removably receives the main unit and connects to the main unit via a coupling between a first connector portion of the main unit and a second connector portion of the rigid sheath. The first rigid sheath can be completely removed from the main unit when the first connector portion is decoupled from the second connector portion. A different rigid sheath having a different shape from the shape of the first rigid sheath can then be removably attached to the main unit instead of the first rigid sheath. A surgical tool kit includes a plurality of rigid sheaths having different shapes and having the ability to be removably attached to the main unit.