Telescoping Access Cannula for Hip Arthroscopy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current access cannulas for hip arthroscopy are of fixed length, which can be inadequate for varying patient anatomies and may require adjustment during surgery due to tissue swelling, leading to limitations in visualization and instrument mobility.

Innovation Solution

A telescoping access cannula with an adjustable length, achieved through various mechanisms such as a rotatable member, finger and seat movement, or a spline connection, allowing for precise adjustment before or during deployment in the body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-length access cannula is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying patient anatomies and tissue swelling during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying patient anatomiesVSAvoidcannula structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access cannula incorporates a telescoping mechanism with an inner tube that can extend and retract relative to an outer tube, allowing the cannula length to be dynamically adjusted during surgery to accommodate different patient anatomies and tissue swelling conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cannula is divided into separate telescoping segments (inner tube and outer tube) that can move independently, enabling length adjustment while maintaining structural integrity and simplicity of individual components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-length access cannula is used, then the device is easy to manufacture, but it requires multiple inventory sizes for different patients and may require adjustment during surgery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomizable surgical pathway lengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than manufacturing multiple fixed-length cannulas, the invention manufactures a single telescoping cannula design that can be adjusted to various lengths, simplifying inventory while providing customization capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescoping mechanism is pre-configured in the manufactured cannula, allowing surgeons to adjust the length as needed without requiring multiple pre-configured sizes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a fixed-length access cannula is used, then the device structure is simple, but it limits visualization and instrument mobility within the hip joint

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument mobility within hip jointVSAvoidcannula adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescoping inner tube allows the cannula length to be extended or retracted based on surgical needs, improving visualization and instrument mobility while maintaining a relatively simple adjustment mechanism through rotational movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250143745A1Method and apparatus for accessing the interior of a hip joint, including the provision and use of a novel telescoping access cannula and a novel telescoping obturator

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 STRYKER CORP

AI summary

A system includes a cannula that is configured to be inserted into a portion of a body and adjusted in length based on a depth measurement associated with the portion of the body; and an obturator having a handle and a shaft that can be moved relative to the handle to adjust a length of the obturator and a lock for locking the shaft in a plurality of positions relative to the handle, wherein the obturator is configured for receiving the cannula on the shaft and inserting the cannula into the portion of the body.