Thumb Tendon Release Blade With Neurovascular Guard
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical treatments for De Quervain's tenosynovitis and trigger thumb are invasive and pose a risk of damaging nerve and blood vessels due to the challenging anatomy of the thumb, necessitating less invasive and safer methods.
Innovation Solution
A minimally invasive device with a handle, introducer shaft, and a blade system featuring a neurovascular guard and blade slider, allowing for precise tissue cutting while protecting surrounding tissues, and a method involving ultrasound guidance for precise tissue cutting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional surgical procedures are used to cut the sheath or Al pulley, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the risk of damaging nerve and blood vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective sheath that acts as an intermediary between the cutting blade and the neurovascular structures. This sheath is positioned between the blade and the nerves/blood vessels, allowing the blade to cut the target tissue (sheath or Al pulley) while the protective sheath prevents accidental contact with and damage to the neurovascular structures. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling effective cutting while simultaneously protecting vulnerable structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-positioning the protective sheath and blade assembly in a controlled manner before making the cut. The blade is advanced through the protective sheath to the precise cutting location, and the cutting action is performed in a controlled sequence (e.g., cutting the sheath first, then the Al pulley). This preliminary positioning and controlled sequencing prevents harmful contact with neurovascular structures before they can be damaged.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive techniques are used, then the safety and reduced invasiveness are improved, but the precision of tissue cutting may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional open surgical mechanical exposure with a minimally invasive percutaneous mechanical system. The blade assembly is delivered through a narrow introducer needle, substituting the need for large surgical incisions and direct visual exposure. This allows minimally invasive access while maintaining cutting precision through the structured blade delivery system and controlled advancement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ultrasound imaging to create a visual copy or representation of the internal anatomical structures before and during the procedure. This allows the operator to visualize the precise location of neurovascular structures and the blade position without direct visual exposure through large incisions. The ultrasound copy enables precise cutting while maintaining minimally invasive access.
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
Enables safe and effective cutting of tissues in the thumb area with reduced risk to neurovascular structures, facilitating less invasive procedures for De Quervain's tenosynovitis and trigger thumb.
Implementation Method 1
The neurovascular guard may be made of a material that allows passage of ultrasound waves
Data Source
AI summary
A device for treating de Quervain's tenosynovitis may include a handle, an introducer shaft extending from the handle, and a blade that includes a blade shaft extending along a top surface of the introducer shaft and onto the handle and a blade cutting edge that faces toward the handle. The device may further include a blade slider attached to a proximal portion of the blade shaft, a blade pivot attached to at least one of the proximal portion of the blade shaft or the blade slider, an upper deck along which the blade slider slides in an upper horizontal orientation, and a lower deck along which the blade slider slides in a lower horizontal orientation. The blade pivot is configured to allow the blade slider to rotate in a plane that is perpendicular to a plane of the introducer shaft.