Tissue Resecting Instruments with Auxiliary Vacuum
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue resecting instruments face challenges in effectively suctioning and removing tissue during endoscopic procedures, particularly in providing sufficient suction to efficiently cut and collect tissue within the uterus, which can lead to incomplete resection and longer procedure times.
Innovation Solution
A tissue resecting instrument featuring a housing, outer shaft, inner cutting shaft, drive assembly, trigger, vacuum generator, and tissue collection cartridge, with an auxiliary vacuum source that includes a vacuum accumulator or pump to enhance suction by incrementally accumulating and releasing vacuum, ensuring effective tissue removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single vacuum generator is used to suction tissue during endoscopic resection, then the device structure remains simple, but the suction capability is insufficient to efficiently remove tissue from the uterus
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is segmented into two distinct components: a primary vacuum generator for continuous suction during cutting, and a secondary auxiliary vacuum source (vacuum accumulator or pump) that provides additional vacuum capacity. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing enhanced overall suction capability without requiring a single overly complex vacuum system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two vacuum generation mechanisms into a single integrated system. The auxiliary vacuum source is coupled to the drive assembly and inner cutting shaft alongside the primary vacuum generator, creating a combined vacuum system that delivers superior suction performance. The merging of these two vacuum sources resolves the contradiction by providing enhanced suction capability while maintaining a unified, manageable device structure.
2Productivity
If vacuum suction is continuously applied during tissue cutting, then tissue removal efficiency improves, but the ability to adjust suction levels for different procedural needs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system is designed with dynamic control capabilities where the auxiliary vacuum source can be selectively activated or deactivated based on procedural needs. The drive assembly controls the auxiliary vacuum source independently, allowing the operator to adjust suction levels dynamically - using both vacuum sources simultaneously for high-productivity tissue removal, or using only the primary vacuum generator when lower suction is sufficient. This dynamic control resolves the contradiction between maintaining continuous high-efficiency suction and providing adaptability for different procedural requirements.
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 instrument provides enhanced suction capabilities, allowing for efficient cutting and collection of tissue, reducing procedure time and improving the completeness of tissue resection, while also allowing for adjustable suction as needed during the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
the vacuum generator is configured to generate vacuum to suction cut tissue through the inner cutting shaft and into the vacuum generator
Implementation Method 2
The auxiliary vacuum source includes a vacuum accumulator or pump to enhance suction by incrementally accumulating and releasing vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue resecting instrument includes a drive assembly coupled to an inner cutting shaft and configured to drive translation and/or rotation of the inner cutting shaft, a trigger coupled to the drive assembly and configured for manual actuation to drive the drive assembly, a vacuum generator configured to generate vacuum to suction cut tissue through the inner cutting shaft and into the vacuum generator, and a tissue collection cartridge configured to engage the housing. The tissue collection cartridge defines a port configured to communicate with the vacuum generator such that the vacuum generator urges cut tissue from the vacuum generator through the port into the tissue collection cartridge. An auxiliary vacuum source is configured to selectively provide additional vacuum to increase suctioning of cut tissue through the inner cutting shaft and into the vacuum generator.