Ultrasonic Meniscus Repair with Fluorescence Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Arthroendoscopical surgery for meniscus treatment faces challenges in visualizing and accurately repairing internal tears due to poor visibility under visible-light illumination and inefficient microbleeding induction with conventional tools, especially for horizontal and transverse tears.
Innovation Solution
An arthroendoscopical surgical method using an ultrasonic treatment tool that identifies tear sites with an arthroscope, administers fluorescent medicine to visualize blood flow, forms planar repair surfaces by cutting with an ultrasonic tool to induce bleeding, and joins the repair surfaces for precise repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional visible-light illumination is used for meniscus surgery, then the surgical procedure can be performed with standard equipment, but the visibility of the injured part and blood flow is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fluorescence imaging technology that causes blood vessels and injured parts to emit fluorescent light when exposed to specific wavelength excitation light. This color change effect allows the injured meniscus and blood flow to be clearly visualized against the surrounding tissue, dramatically improving visibility without requiring complex surgical equipment modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces fluorescent dye as an intermediary substance that accumulates in blood vessels and injured tissues. This mediator absorbs excitation light and emits fluorescent light, serving as a bridge between the light source and the observer, thereby enhancing the visibility of internal structures without directly modifying the surgical instruments
2Productivity
If conventional rasp or shaver tools are used for freshening, then the equipment is simple and familiar, but the efficiency of hemorrhage from meniscus end face is poor and microbleeding is difficult to recognize
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical rasp or shaver tools with an ultrasonic treatment tool that uses ultrasonic vibration to freshen the meniscus surface. This mechanical-to-acoustic energy substitution enables more efficient induction of microbleeding by causing controlled tissue disruption through ultrasonic cavitation and mechanical stress, while the fluorescent imaging simultaneously provides precise visualization of the resulting blood flow
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements real-time feedback by using fluorescent imaging to immediately visualize the blood flow induced by ultrasonic freshening. The surgeon can observe the fluorescent signal from bleeding vessels during the procedure, providing continuous feedback on the effectiveness of the freshening treatment and allowing immediate adjustment of treatment parameters to achieve optimal microbleeding
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional tools are used for freshening, then the procedure is straightforward, but the angle of abutment surfaces and smoothness required for close contact between repair surfaces is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical freshening with ultrasonic vibration-based freshening that automatically produces smooth, planar surfaces. The ultrasonic energy efficiently removes irregularities and creates uniformly smooth repair surfaces with precise angles, eliminating the difficulty of achieving proper surface geometry that plagues conventional manual freshening techniques
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
Enhances the accuracy of tear site identification and repair by visualizing vascular areas, allowing for efficient formation of smooth, planar repair surfaces that can be joined effectively, improving the efficiency and precision of meniscus repair surgery.
Implementation Method 1
a step of forming mutually opposed planar repair surfaces by cutting the tear surfaces of the tear site in the depth direction by an ultrasonic treatment tool
Implementation Method 2
administering a fluorescent medicine to a blood flow of the meniscus through a vein, and imaging the meniscus in which the blood flow is displayed with emphasis under excitation light
Data Source
AI summary
In an arthroendoscopical surgical method, a resection target area, and a freshening treatment area which becomes repair surfaces with bleeding, are identified, and a resection line and a freshening line are drawn on a tear site in a meniscus, which is emphasized by fluorescence with use of a fluorescent medicine under excitation light. Using an ultrasonic treatment tool and an arthroscope, the resection target area is resected by a probe which generates ultrasonic vibrations, based on the resection line and freshening line under visible-light illumination. Thus, an inclined resection surface is formed, and planar repair surfaces with bleeding are joined and repaired.