Micro-Scale Tissue Shredding Instrument for Minimally Invasive Surgery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for tissue removal, particularly in minimally invasive procedures, face challenges with large dimensions, inefficient tissue removal, and risk of damaging unintended tissue, necessitating the development of smaller, more precise devices that can differentiate between target and non-target tissue.
Innovation Solution
The use of micro-scale and millimeter-scale shredding devices fabricated using multi-layer, multi-material electrochemical fabrication methods, which include a tissue cutting instrument with a cutter element and a tissue removal lumen to ensure tissue portions are less than 2 mm in dimension, allowing for precise and safe removal of target tissue while avoiding non-target tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tissue removal devices are used, then tissue can be removed, but the devices have large dimensions and risk damaging unintended tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides tissue removal into multiple stages using a cutter element that shreds tissue into small portions (less than 2 mm) that can be sequentially removed through the tissue removal lumen, enabling safe minimally invasive procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses a lumen-based delivery system that allows the cutter element to be introduced through a small access point and operate in three-dimensional space within the body, achieving tissue removal capability without requiring large external device dimensions
2Productivity
If traditional tissue removal methods are used, then tissue can be removed, but the efficiency is low and recovery time is longer
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter element operates by rotating to periodically engage and shred tissue into small portions, which are then systematically removed through the lumen, improving removal efficiency and reducing procedural time
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces traditional mechanical excision or electrosurgery with a shredding mechanism that cuts tissue into small portions for removal, enabling more efficient tissue removal through the constrained lumen pathway
3Productivity
If larger cutter elements are used, then tissue removal is faster, but the risk of damaging non-target tissue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutter element is designed with multiple cutting edges or blades that shred tissue into small portions (less than 2 mm) rather than removing large chunks, enabling efficient removal while maintaining precision and avoiding damage to surrounding non-target tissue
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue removal lumen acts as an intermediary constraint that guides the cutter element and limits its operational scope to the target tissue site, preventing accidental engagement with non-target tissue while allowing efficient shredding within the lumen
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
These devices enable safe and efficient removal of tissue with reduced recovery time and lower risks by allowing for precise cutting and removal of tissue in smaller dimensions, improving the safety and efficiency of minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
An electrochemical fabrication technique for forming three-dimensional structures from a plurality of adhered layers
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tissue removal and more particularly to methods and devices for use in medical applications involving selective tissue removal. One exemplary method includes the steps of providing a tissue cutting instrument capable of distinguishing between target tissue to be removed and non-target tissue, urging the instrument against the target tissue and the non-target tissue, and allowing the instrument to cut the target tissue while automatically avoiding cutting of non-target tissue. Various tools for carrying out this method are also described.