Trigger Finger Surgical System with Guided Pulley Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current minimally invasive treatments for trigger finger lack accuracy and safety due to the lack of visualization during subcutaneous incisions, leading to potential nerve damage and complications, and existing devices are not reliable enough to ensure precise location and release of the affected pulley.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising a handle with a tubular member and interchangeable palpation and incision tools, where the palpation tool identifies the pulley's location and the incision tool, with a controlled cutter, is used to sever the pulley in a controlled and safe manner, minimizing tissue damage and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If minimally invasive treatment is used, then incision size is reduced and recovery time is shortened, but accuracy and safety are compromised due to lack of visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system employs a nested structure where the incision tool with cutter is inserted through the tubular member that was previously inserted through the skin. The palpation tool is inserted through the tubular member to locate the pulley. This nested arrangement allows multiple tools to share the same minimally invasive access path while maintaining controlled, sequential operations that preserve both minimal incision size and procedural accuracy through tool-guided navigation.
2Reliability
If open surgery is performed, then accuracy and safety are improved through direct visualization, but incision size increases and recovery time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular member serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between minimally invasive access and controlled surgical intervention. It provides a guided pathway through the tissue that maintains a small incision while enabling the incision tool to reach and operate on the target pulley with precision. The tubular member acts as a mediator that transmits the surgeon's control inputs to the cutting action at the distal end, ensuring accuracy without requiring a large open incision.
3Device complexity
If subcutaneous incision without endoscopic guidance is performed, then equipment cost is reduced, but accuracy deteriorates due to blind operation
Solution Approach 1:
The palpation tool is inserted through the tubular member before the incision tool to perform preliminary localization of the pulley. The surgeon uses the palpation tool to tactilely identify and locate the exact position of the pulley through the tissue, establishing a precise target point before the cutting action begins. This preliminary localization action ensures accurate subsequent incision and release without requiring expensive endoscopic visualization equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical device to be used in orthopaedic treatment. In particular, the present invention relates to a surgical system for minimally invasive treatment of a trigger finger.