Transnasal Frontal Sinus Reduction Instruments for Scar-Free Fracture Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Frontal sinus fractures, particularly those involving the anterior table, pose unique challenges in treatment due to their complexity and the need for minimally invasive techniques that avoid external scarring and hardware implantation, while ensuring effective reduction and cosmetic outcomes.

Innovation Solution

Development of frontal sinus fracture closed reduction instruments with various shapes, angles, and configurations, including a handle, elongated shaft, and tip ends, designed for closed reduction of anterior table fractures, allowing for precise manipulation through the nose without causing additional fractures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If open reduction techniques are used to treat frontal sinus fractures, then effective fracture reduction can be achieved, but external scarring and hardware implantation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture reduction effectivenessVSAvoidexternal scarring and hardware implantation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transnasal endoscopic approach as an intermediary method between open and closed reduction. Specialized instruments with curved shafts and blunt tips are inserted through the nasal cavity to reach the frontal sinus fracture site, allowing reduction without external incisions or hardware. This mediator approach achieves effective fracture reduction while avoiding the harmful effects of external scarring and implantation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of approaching the frontal sinus fracture from the external facial surface (traditional open approach), the patent inverts the approach by accessing the fracture site through the nasal cavity. This reverse approach allows the instruments to reach the anterior table of the frontal sinus from the inside, eliminating external scarring and hardware requirements while maintaining reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If closed reduction techniques are used to avoid external scarring, then cosmetic outcomes improve, but the complexity of reaching superior and lateral fractures increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal scarringVSAvoidinstrument configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the instrument into distinct functional components: a handle for manipulation, a curved shaft for navigation, and a blunt tip for reduction. The curved shaft is further segmented into portions with different radii of curvature to access various fracture locations. This segmentation allows the instrument to navigate complex anatomical pathways and reach superior and lateral fractures through the nasal cavity without requiring multiple different instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds dimensional complexity to the instrument shaft by incorporating curved portions with specific radii of curvature. This allows the linear instrument to navigate the three-dimensional anatomical space of the nasal cavity and reach fracture sites that would be inaccessible with a straight shaft. The curved geometry enables access to superior and lateral fractures through the transnasal route.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If minimally invasive techniques are used to reduce fractures, then postoperative complications decrease, but the precision of fracture reduction may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepostoperative complicationsVSAvoidfracture reduction precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of open exposure and direct manipulation with a refined mechanical system using endoscopic visualization and specialized instruments. The blunt-tipped instruments provide controlled mechanical force for fracture reduction while the endoscopic approach allows precise visualization. This substitution maintains reduction precision while minimizing tissue disruption and postoperative complications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20260026855A1Frontal sinus fracture closed reduction instruments

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 THE UAB RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC

AI summary

Various surgical instruments for closed reduction of the frontal sinus anterior table, a kit of surgical instruments, and method of use are described. The surgical instrument includes a handle defining a proximal portion of the surgical reduction instrument and an elongated shaft extending from the handle to a tip end at a distal end of the surgical reduction instrument. The elongated shaft includes a base portion and a curved portion, the base portion extending along an axis and having a substantially constant cross section, the curved portion having a taper portion and a tip portion, the tip portion being substantially flat having a thickness and a width ending at the tip end, the taper portion providing transition between the base portion and the tip portion, and the tip end suitable for reducing a fracture of an anterior table of an individual.