Bipolar Coagulating Vasectomy Device for Hematoma Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vasectomy methods are complex, require significant surgical skill, and are prone to complications such as hematomas, swelling, and prolonged recovery, with a risk of sperm regrowth and exposure to infectious diseases due to the use of sharp instruments.
Innovation Solution
The development of novel vasectomy devices and methods using bipolar coagulating instruments with excising clamps or hooks that allow for quick and simple occlusion and division of the vas deferens in one or two steps, minimizing tissue dissection and exposure to bodily fluids, and reducing the risk of complications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional vasectomy methods (NSV) are used with sharp instruments and manual dissection, then the procedure can be performed, but it requires significant surgical skill and carries high risk of hematomas and swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp mechanical cutting instruments with a bipolar electrosurgical device that uses electrical energy to coagulate and divide tissue. This substitution eliminates the need for manual dissection and sharp instruments, thereby reducing surgical skill requirements and minimizing hematoma risk through simultaneous coagulation of blood vessels during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and properties of tissue through controlled application of electrical energy. The bipolar device delivers controlled current that transforms tissue from viable to coagulated state, enabling precise cutting with hemostasis. This parameter change (from mechanical to electrical energy) resolves the contradiction by making the procedure both safer and easier to perform
2Reliability
If conventional vasectomy methods are used with multiple steps (dissection, occlusion, division), then complete vasectomy can be achieved, but the surgical duration is prolonged (twenty minutes or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate surgical steps (occlusion and division of vas deferens) into a single integrated action using the bipolar electrosurgical device. The device simultaneously coagulates blood vessels for occlusion and divides the tissue for separation, reducing the procedure from multiple steps to one continuous action and thereby significantly shortening surgical duration while maintaining completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The bipolar electrosurgical device performs occlusion and division in continuous motion without interruption. The electrical energy is applied continuously along the path of the device as it moves through the tissue, eliminating the need to stop between steps and reducing overall procedure time while ensuring complete vasectomy
3Ease of operation
If sharp instruments are used for vasectomy, then the procedure can be performed, but there is risk of exposure to infectious diseases (e.g., HIV)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp cutting instruments that can cause accidental punctures and exposure with a bipolar electrosurgical device that uses electrical energy for tissue division. This substitution eliminates sharp edges and reducing the risk of needlestick injuries or accidental cuts that could transmit infectious diseases, while maintaining the ability to perform the complete vasectomy procedure
4Reliability
If conventional methods are used to prevent sperm regrowth (clipping, cauterizing, ligating), then occlusion can be achieved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bipolar electrosurgical device performs multiple functions (coagulation, cutting, and occlusion) through a single mechanism. By applying electrical energy, the device simultaneously achieves all occlusion goals without requiring separate clips, ligatures, or cautery instruments, thereby simplifying the overall procedure while ensuring reliable prevention of sperm regrowth through complete tissue coagulation and division
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
The solution significantly reduces the risk of hematomas and swelling, minimizes sperm regrowth, and allows less skilled clinicians to perform the procedure safely and efficiently, reducing recovery time and exposure to infectious diseases.
Implementation Method 1
a bipolar coagulating device able to occlude a vas duct in situ... The arcuate jaws of the bipolar coagulating device are positioned around the clamp so as to compress a similarly arcuate region of tissue between the jaws... After coagulating the arcuate clamped region
Implementation Method 2
The electrosurgical generator delivers radiofrequency energy to the bipolar device... After coagulating the arcuate clamped region, the clamp is removed so as to allow an integral cutting element pivotably mounted to the bipolar device to excise the uncoagulated tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Conventional vasectomy techniques suffer from a number of disadvantages, including, for example, a substantial risk for the development of hematomas and swelling, a potential for spontaneous regeneration and undesired resumption of fertility, a need for a highly skilled surgical professional, as well as a long recovery period, accompanied by severe limitations on post-surgical activity. The present invention overcomes the disadvantages and deficiencies of the prior art by providing a rapid, reliable, less invasive male sterilization procedure as well as vasectomy instruments and kits for use therewith.