Tissue Modification Device with Integrated Visualization and Articulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional surgical procedures cause significant trauma to tissues due to extensive incisions, muscle stripping, and prolonged recovery times, with a need for more advanced minimally invasive surgical instruments and methods.

Innovation Solution

Development of tissue modification devices with an elongated member featuring a distal end integrated visualization sensor and tissue modifier, including an articulation mechanism for steerability, designed to pass through minimally invasive body openings for precise internal tissue modification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional surgical procedures are used to access internal tissues, then complete access and modification capability is achieved, but significant tissue trauma and long recovery time occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidaccess to internal tissues

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical procedure is divided into two separate steps: first inserting a visualization device through a minimal incision to locate and assess the target tissue, then separately inserting a modification device through the same or different minimal incision to perform the actual modification. This segmentation allows each device to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A visualization device acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the target tissue, providing real-time imaging and assessment capability through minimal incisions. This intermediary enables precise localization and planning before the actual tissue modification, reducing the need for extensive exploratory surgery and allowing for more targeted, less traumatic procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive procedures are used, then tissue trauma and recovery time are reduced, but precision and control in tissue modification become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidprecision in tissue modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The visualization device provides real-time feedback during the tissue modification procedure, allowing the surgeon to continuously monitor the position and effect of the modification device through minimal incisions. This feedback loop enables precise control and adjustment of the modification process despite the constraints of minimally invasive access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The visualization device is inserted and used to thoroughly assess and plan the tissue modification approach before the modification device is activated or advanced. This preliminary visualization and planning phase allows for precise positioning and programming of the modification parameters, ensuring accurate tissue modification while maintaining minimally invasive benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If separate devices are used for visualization and tissue modification, then each device can be optimized for its function, but device complexity and procedural steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional optimizationVSAvoidnumber of devices and procedures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Both the visualization device and modification device are designed with universal features including articulation mechanisms for navigating complex anatomical pathways, minimal incision access capabilities, and integration with the same control and imaging system. This universality allows each device to be independently optimized for its primary function while sharing common platform technologies, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If integrated visualization and modification at distal end are implemented, then procedural efficiency is improved, but device manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedural efficiencyVSAvoiddevice manufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The modification device is designed to be inserted through or alongside the visualization device, with both devices sharing a common elongated member structure. The articulation mechanisms and control systems are nested within each other, allowing the modification functionality to be delivered through the same minimal incision and anatomical pathway as the visualization device, thereby improving procedural efficiency while managing manufacturing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20240423458A1Tissue modification devices and methods of using the same

Publication Date: 2024.12.26 TRICE MEDICAL INC

AI summary

Tissue modification devices are provided. Aspects of the devices include an elongated member having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the elongated member is dimensioned to pass through a minimally invasive body opening and includes a distal end integrated visualization sensor and tissue modifier. In some instances, the devices further include an integrated articulation mechanism that imparts steerabilily to at least one of the visualization sensor, the tissue modifier and the distal end of the elongated member. Also provided are methods of modifying internal target tissue of a subject using the tissue modification devices.