Amniotic Tissue Shield for Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
During neck surgeries, the recurrent laryngeal nerve is at high risk of damage due to trauma, desiccation, and thermal or electric injuries, leading to voice loss and hypoparathyroidism complications, with existing methods failing to significantly reduce these risks.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of a shield made from extraembryonic tissue, such as amniotic tissue, to cover and protect the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands during surgery, which includes a specifically shaped shield to accommodate the nerve's structure and materials like Surgraft® Dehydrated Amniotic Sheet, to prevent damage and promote healing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the recurrent laryngeal nerve is exposed early in operations to access adjacent tissues, then surgical access is improved, but the nerve becomes subject to damage from desiccation, friction, and thermal injury during the remainder of the operation and healing phase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by placing a protective barrier (such as a gel-impregnated sponge or other protective material) over the exposed recurrent laryngeal nerve before the harmful effects of desiccation, friction, and thermal injury can occur. This protective barrier remains in place during the remainder of the operation and through the healing phase, preventing damage while allowing surgical access to adjacent tissues.
2Measurement precision
If absorbent sponges and suction apparatus are used to keep the operative field dry, then visibility and surgical precision are improved, but the recurrent laryngeal nerve is subject to damage from desiccation and the physical act of keeping the field dry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective barrier between the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the absorbent sponges/suction apparatus. This barrier (such as a gel-impregnated sponge or protective coating) allows the surgical field to be kept dry for visibility and precision while preventing direct contact between the nerve and desiccating agents, thus mediating between the need for surgical precision and the need to protect the nerve from desiccation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If cautery devices are used in nearby tissues to control bleeding, then hemostasis is improved, but the nerve is highly subject to injury from thermal injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by placing a thermal protective barrier (such as a gel-impregnated sponge or heat-reflective material) over the recurrent laryngeal nerve before cautery devices are used in nearby tissues. This barrier protects the nerve from thermal injury while allowing hemostasis to be controlled in adjacent tissues through the use of cautery instruments.
4Productivity
If parathyroid glands are dissected and disturbed during total thyroidectomy to remove the thyroid gland, then complete thyroid removal is achieved, but the parathyroid glands become ischemic due to disturbed blood supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary protective barrier between the surgical field and the parathyroid glands during total thyroidectomy. This barrier (such as a gel-impregnated sponge or protective drape) allows the thyroid gland to be completely removed while protecting the parathyroid glands from ischemia by maintaining their blood supply and preventing direct manipulation or compression that would disturb their vascular supply.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes covering or contacting a portion of a parathyroid of a subject with a shield including biologic tissue. The covering or contacting occurs during a neck or reconstructive surgery of the subject.