Turbinate Protector Shielding During Sinus Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sinus surgery methods, such as FESS, often cause damage to nasal turbinates due to the use of straight, rigid instruments, leading to post-operative pain, bleeding, and prolonged recovery, with no existing devices or methods effectively protecting these structures during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A turbinate protector apparatus comprising protecting portions and a bridge portion, designed to be positioned around the turbinate to shield it from surgical instruments, with movable and malleable components to accommodate different turbinate sizes and shapes, and optionally secured with biocompatible adhesives, deflecting instruments and minimizing trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If straight, rigid surgical instruments are used for FESS procedures, then the surgeon can access deep areas of the anatomy, but the nasal turbinates are damaged due to the need to resect or manipulate structures in the direct path of the instruments
Solution Approach 1:
A curved, flexible guide catheter is introduced as an intermediary device that provides a protected pathway to deep sinus areas. The catheter's flexible tip can navigate around anatomical structures like the middle turbinate without requiring their resection, while the catheter body shields these structures from direct contact with rigid surgical instruments, thus preventing trauma while maintaining access speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical approach transitions from static, straight rigid instruments to dynamic, flexible curved instruments that can adapt their shape and path. The flexible catheter can be steered and bent to follow the natural curvature of the nasal passages, allowing access to deep areas without forcing straight paths that would damage surrounding structures.
2Ease of operation
If anatomical structures are resected to create a direct path for straight rigid instruments, then deep sinus areas become accessible, but post-operative pain and bleeding increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guide catheter serves as a mediator that enables instrument access without requiring resection of anatomical structures. By providing a pre-formed curved pathway, the catheter allows surgeons to reach deep sinus areas while leaving the middle turbinate and other structures intact, thereby eliminating the trauma-induced pain and bleeding associated with resection.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter's flexible construction allows it to conform to the natural anatomy of the nasal passages without requiring rigid resection of structures. This flexibility enables the catheter to navigate around or through soft tissue structures like the middle turbinate without causing damage, thus preventing post-operative pain and bleeding while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the middle turbinate is moved or repositioned to facilitate surgery, then surgical access is improved, but the turbinate becomes vulnerable to damage from endoscopic tools
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guide catheter acts as a protective intermediary that can be positioned within or alongside the middle turbinate. This catheter shields the turbinate from direct contact with endoscopic tools and surgical instruments, allowing the turbinate to remain in its natural position while still providing excellent surgical access and visualization without vulnerability to damage.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If nasal packing is placed after FESS to control bleeding, then post-operative bleeding is reduced, but patient comfort decreases and normal functions are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible guide catheter is introduced and positioned before the main surgical procedure begins. By establishing a protected pathway and shielding anatomical structures in advance, the catheter prevents trauma and bleeding during surgery, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for post-operative nasal packing and its associated discomfort and functional interference.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods are provided which shield at least one turbinate from trauma or damage during sinus surgery that could be caused by direct contact with diagnostic and therapeutic devices. The devices and methods provided are particularly useful for protecting nasal turbinates during FESS and FTIS procedures.