Abdominal Wall Lifting Clamp with Guided Needle Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing and treating abdominal bleeding are resource-intensive and require multiple skilled individuals, making them unsuitable for use outside clinical settings, and pose risks due to uncontrolled needle insertion during abdominal gas insufflation (AGI).

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows a single individual to perform AGI safely by using a clamping system to lift the abdominal wall and a needle advancement control with feedback mechanisms to guide the needle insertion, enabling controlled and incremental insertion of a needle into the abdomen, and providing feedback to prevent over-insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If abdominal gas insufflation is performed using traditional methods with penetrating clamps and manual needle insertion, then bleeding control can be achieved, but the procedure requires multiple skilled individuals and is resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebleeding control effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of individuals required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the abdominal wall lifting function and needle insertion guidance function into a single integrated device. The clamp assembly includes clamps for lifting the abdominal wall and a needle guide for controlled needle insertion, eliminating the need for separate manual operations by multiple individuals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be self-guiding with the needle guide providing automatic alignment and controlled insertion. The feedback mechanism with pressure sensor and indicator light provides self-monitoring capabilities, allowing a single operator to perform the procedure without requiring constant supervision or assistance from multiple skilled individuals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If manual needle insertion is performed during abdominal gas insufflation, then the procedure can be completed, but uncontrolled insertion may cause injury to organs or vessels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure completionVSAvoidorgan or vessel injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback mechanism with a pressure sensor that detects when the needle has pierced the abdominal cavity. The sensor provides real-time feedback through an indicator light that changes color or illuminates to signal proper needle insertion depth, preventing over-insertion and potential injury to internal organs or vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The needle guide acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the needle. It provides a controlled pathway and mechanical constraints that guide the needle along a safe trajectory, reducing the risk of uncontrolled insertion and injury to underlying organs or blood vessels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If traditional abdominal gas insufflation is performed, then bleeding control is effective, but the traumatic lifting of the abdominal wall causes additional harm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebleeding control effectivenessVSAvoidtraumatic abdominal wall lifting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional penetrating clamp mechanism with a less traumatic clamping system. The clamps are designed to lift the abdominal wall more gently, and the integrated needle guide eliminates the need for aggressive manual manipulation, reducing trauma to the abdominal wall while maintaining effective bleeding control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If abdominal gas insufflation is performed outside clinical settings, then accessibility improves, but the lack of multiple skilled individuals increases procedure risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure accessibilityVSAvoidprocedure safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be self-guiding with built-in feedback mechanisms that provide real-time guidance to the operator. The pressure sensor and indicator light system automatically monitor needle insertion depth and provide visual feedback, enabling a single operator in non-clinical settings to perform the procedure safely without requiring multiple skilled individuals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters from requiring multiple skilled operators to being operable by a single individual through automated guidance. The feedback mechanism transforms the procedure from one requiring expert manual skill to one guided by instrumented feedback, enabling safe performance in resource-limited or non-clinical settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10064695B2Systems for abdominal wall lifting and needle insertion

Publication Date: 2018.09.04 THE GENERAL HOSPITAL CORP

AI summary

A system and method for coordinated and controlled abdominal gas insufflation includes clamp configured to engage an abdominal wall. A needle advancement control is configured to receive a needle and advance the needle toward the clamp to extend into a portion of the abdomen. A feedback device is configured to monitor the needle as it is advanced into the portion of the abdomen of the subject and provide feedback indicating that the needle has pierced the portion the abdomen.