Adjustable areola marker

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable areola marker (1) comprising at least three marking pieces (2) and a support piece (5). Each marking piece has a marking surface (3) and a first adjustment element (4). The support piece (5) comprises a central point (6) and a plurality of second adjustment elements (7), wherein each second adjustment element (7) is designed to cooperate with one of the first adjustment elements (4) to adjust the distance of the marking pieces (2) from the central point (6).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] ADJUSTABLE AREOLOTOME

[0003] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0004] The present invention belongs to the technical field of medical devices, more specifically, the object of the invention refers to a device for marking the contour of the areola to be used within a mammoplasty procedure.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Mammoplasty is one of the most common surgical procedures in plastic surgery. It is a breast reshaping or reconstruction procedure, aiming to restore or improve its morphology and volume. While frequently performed for cosmetic purposes, this surgery also plays a crucial role in the comprehensive treatment of breast cancer, with breast reconstruction being key to the physical, mental, and social recovery of patients.

[0007] Many breast surgeries require resizing the nipple-areola complex, for which various fixed-size measuring devices and markers, called areolotomes, are used. These allow surgeons to establish and guide the design of the nipple-areola complex, adjusting it to the desired new size. However, current devices can only be pre-configured during manufacturing to a single size. This forces surgeons to use a single size for all patients, regardless of their individual morphovolumetric characteristics, or alternatively, to use a large number of devices, with the added cost that this entails, to achieve a wider range of sizes. All of this leads to suboptimal results, considering the important visual role the nipple-areola complex plays in the overall appearance of the breast.

[0008] In light of the above, it is necessary to design an adjustable areola measuring device that allows for size modification with a single device. This would enable the technique to be individualized to the specific morphological characteristics of the patient, reducing surgical time and costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention solves the previous limitations of the prior art, by means of an adjustable areolotome according to claim 1.

[0010] Thus, the present invention relates in a first inventive aspect to an adjustable areolotome comprising at least three marking pieces, where each marking piece has a marking surface and a first regulating element; a support piece comprising a central point and a plurality of second regulating elements, where each second regulating element is configured to cooperate with one of the first regulating elements to regulate the distance of the marking pieces from the central point.

[0011] As previously mentioned, one of the main problems is that available areolotomes can only mark a circumference of a fixed diameter. However, with the areolotome of the present invention, the marking pieces can be positioned at an adjustable distance from the central point, allowing for the marking of circles with different diameters, depending on the position of the marking pieces relative to the central point. This makes it possible to obtain these different diameters across a continuous range of values, unlike the single sizes available on the market (or discrete values ​​in the case of vaporizers for these devices). This enables therapeutic individualization according to the patient's morphovolumetric characteristics, resulting in better outcomes, a shorter learning curve for the surgical technique due to greater ease of use and intuitiveness, and a significant reduction in surgical time.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the cooperation between the first regulating elements and the second regulating elements is based on a rail and guide mechanism, so that the first regulating elements are configured to slide linearly with respect to the second regulating elements.

[0013] This allows for easy control of the movement of the first regulating elements relative to the support piece. In certain embodiments, the areolotome comprises four marking pieces. This reduces discontinuities between marking elements.

[0014] In specific implementations, the marking surfaces are portions of a circular ring. This achieves a closer approximation to circular marking.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the areolotome further comprises a coordination piece comprising a coordination guide for each marking piece, and wherein each marking piece further comprises a coordination protrusion, such that each coordination protrusion is configured to be inserted into a coordination guide.

[0016] This ensures that the marking pieces move simultaneously, which allows the center of the marking circle to always remain at the central point, without the need for exhaustive adjustment work between the different marking pieces.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the coordination guides are continuous curves and are all of equal length, with each point on the coordination guide located at a different distance from the central point. This allows for smooth and easily controllable movement by relative rotation of the support piece with respect to the coordination piece.

[0018] In specific designs, at least one of the coordination guides is graduated to show the distance between the furthest point on the marking surface and the center point. This makes it easy to determine the diameter of the marking circle, so that the measurement can be used for the other areola-nipple assembly.

[0019] In specific embodiments, the support piece additionally includes clamping projections. This facilitates relative rotational movement between the support piece and the coordinating piece, enabling radial displacement of the marking pieces.

[0020] In specific embodiments, the adjustable areolotome of the invention is made at least partially of metal, preferably at least partially of steel, and preferably at least partially of surgical steel. The product allows for the mass production of metal areolotomes, enabling their sterilization and, therefore, their reuse, without the need for other similar complementary instruments, since a single device would provide all sizes.

[0021] All terms and embodiments described anywhere in this document are equally applicable to all aspects of the invention. It should be noted that, as used in the description and claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include their plurals unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the term "comprises" or "comprising," as used herein, also describes "consists of" or "consisting of" in accordance with generally accepted patent practice.

[0022] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The following is a brief description of each of the figures used to complement the description of the invention that follows, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0024] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the elements including an areolotome according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0025] Figures 2 and 3 show front perspective and rear plan views of the areolotome according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, once mounted in a first position.

[0026] Figures 4 and 5 show front perspective and rear plan views of the areolotome according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, once mounted in a second position.

[0027] Numerical references for the figures

[0028] In order to aid a better understanding of the technical characteristics of the invention, the aforementioned figures are accompanied by a series of numerical references where, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following is represented:

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The detailed description of the present invention that follows refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be implemented. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to implement the present invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different from each other, but are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Accordingly, the detailed description that follows is not intended to be taken in a restrictive sense, and the scope of the present invention, if properly described, is limited only by the appended claims, in addition to all scopes equivalent to those claimed by the appended claims. In the drawings, the reference numbers refer to the same or similar functions in various respects.

[0031] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the elements including an areolotome according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0033] As can be seen in this figure, the areolotome 1 comprises the following elements: four marking pieces 2; one support piece 5; and one coordination piece 8.

[0034] Each marking piece 2 has a marking surface 3 and a first adjusting element 4. The marking surface 3 has a rough or sharp finish that allows it to mark the skin surface once it has been adjusted to the correct position. The marking surfaces 3 are portions of a circular ring, so that once the appropriate diameter is selected, the marking is produced and a circumference of the chosen diameter is imprinted on the patient's skin. The first adjusting element 4 is intended to cooperate with other elements, as will be discussed later.

[0035] The support piece 5 comprises a central point 6 and a plurality of second regulating elements 7, where each second regulating element 7 is a guide rail and is configured to receive one of the first regulating elements 4, to allow regulating the distance of the marking pieces 2 with respect to the central point 6.

[0036] The coordination piece 8 comprises four coordination guides 9, one for each marking piece 2. As can be seen in the figure, each marking piece 2 further comprises a coordination protrusion 10, such that each coordination protrusion 10 is configured to be inserted into a coordination guide 9. The coordination guides 9 are continuous curves and are all equal, and each point of the coordination guide 9 is located at a different distance from the center point 6, such that the distance to the center point 6 increases as one travels along the curve from beginning to end.

[0037] As can be seen, one of the coordination guides 9 is graduated to show the distance between the furthest point on the marking surface and the center point 6. In this case, one of them has the number “45” engraved at one end, so that when the coordination protrusion 10 is at that number, the diameter of the circle formed by the marking pieces will be 45 mm. Another has the number “35” engraved at the other end, so that when the coordination protrusion 10 is at that number, the diameter of the circle formed by the marking pieces will be 35 mm. Finally, another has a notch at an intermediate point on coordination guide 9, marked “40”. Thus, when the coordination protrusion 10 is at that notch, the diameter of the circle formed by the marking pieces will be 40 mm.Other intermediate graduations can be established to determine the diameter of the marking circumference. The Areolotome 1 is made of surgical steel, so it can be easily sterilized and conveniently reused.

[0038] As can be seen in the figure, the support piece 5 additionally comprises clamping protrusions 11. These clamping protrusions 11 will serve for better handling of the areolotome 1, as will be seen in the following figures.

[0039] Figures 2 and 3 show front perspective and rear plan views of the areolotome according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, once mounted in a first position.

[0040] Coordination piece 8 is screwed to support piece 5, so that both pieces are joined, but relative rotation of coordination piece 8 with respect to support piece 5, which remains fixed, is permitted.

[0041] In this case, it can be seen how the coordination protrusions 10 are inserted into the coordination guides 9. They are in their most closed position. This is evident in that the coordination protrusions 10 are located at the point on the coordination guides 9 closest to the central point 6, which is marked with the symbol “35”, indicating that the diameter of the marking circle is 35 mm.

[0042] As can be seen in Figure 3, the marking pieces 2 are joined together, with no separation between them, since they are in the position closest to the central point.

[0043] Figures 4 and 5 show front perspective and rear plan views of the areolotome according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, once mounted in a second position.

[0044] This position is reached by holding the support piece 5 by the clamping protrusions 11 and rotating the coordination piece 8 relative to the support piece 5 until the coordination protrusions 10 have fully traversed the coordination guides to their ends. Figure 4 shows these coordination protrusions 10 in their widest possible position. The point on the coordination guides 9 furthest from the center point 6 is marked with the symbol “45,” indicating that the diameter of the marking circle is 45 mm. As can be seen in Figure 5, the marking pieces 2 are separated, with a small gap between them, as they are in the position furthest from the center point.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Adjustable areolotome (1) comprising at least three marking pieces (2), where each marking piece has a marking surface (3) and a first regulating element (4); a support piece (5) comprising a central point (6) and a plurality of second regulating elements (7), where each second regulating element (7) is configured to cooperate with one of the first regulating elements (4) to regulate the distance of the marking pieces (2) with respect to the central point (6).

2. Adjustable areolotome (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cooperation between the first regulating elements (4) and the second regulating elements (7) is based on a rail and guide mechanism, such that the first regulating elements (4) are configured to slide linearly with respect to the second regulating elements (7). 3.- Adjustable areolotome (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising four marking pieces (2). 4.- Adjustable areolotome (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the marking surfaces (3) are portions of a circular crown.

5. Adjustable areolotome (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a coordination piece (8) comprising a coordination guide (9) for each marking piece (2), and wherein each marking piece (2) further comprises a coordination protrusion (10), such that each coordination protrusion (10) is configured to be inserted into a coordination guide (9).

6. Adjustable areolotome (1) according to claim 5, wherein the coordination guides (9) are continuous curves and are all equal, and each point of the coordination guide (9) is located at a different distance from the central point (6).

7. Adjustable areolotome (1) according to any of claims 5 or 6, wherein at least one of the coordination guides (9) is graduated to show the distance between the furthest point of the marking surface and the central point (6).

8. An adjustable areolotome (1) according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein the support piece (5) further comprises clamping projections (11).

9. An adjustable areolotome (1) according to any of the preceding claims, which is at least partially made of metal. 10.- Adjustable areolotome (1) according to claim 9, which is at least partially made of steel. 11.- Adjustable areolotome (1) according to claim 9, which is made at least partially of surgical steel.

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