Buttonhole Tool Prying Scab Tissue for Vascular Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for creating vascular access in patients, such as dialysis treatments, are laborious and require frequent removal of scab tissue, which can be painful and prone to infection, necessitating a more efficient and safe tool for scab tissue removal.
Innovation Solution
A buttonhole tool with a gripping portion and a prying portion, including a scoop bevel, designed to be held between the thumb and forefinger, allowing for safe and efficient removal of scab tissue from the skin, facilitating the formation of a tunnel for vascular access without causing undue stress or discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual scab tissue removal methods are used, then vascular access can be created, but the process is laborious and prone to infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buttonhole tool as an intermediary device between the technician and the scab tissue. The tool includes a gripping portion for safe handling and a prying portion with a scoop bevel that acts as the mediator to lift and remove scab tissue. This intermediary tool reduces direct manual manipulation, thereby lowering infection risk while making the process easier and more controlled.
2Productivity
If frequent scab tissue removal is performed manually, then vascular access is maintained, but pain and infection risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The buttonhole tool is designed to enable the scab tissue to essentially remove itself through a controlled lifting action. The scoop bevel portion inserts under the scab and leverages it upward, allowing the scab to be removed with minimal force and trauma. This self-service mechanism reduces pain and infection risk while maintaining productivity in vascular access maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If traditional scab removal techniques are used, then the buttonhole site can be accessed, but back strain occurs on technicians
Solution Approach 1:
The buttonhole tool redistributes the operational forces from the technician's back and arms to the structure of the tool itself. The gripping portion allows finger-based control, while the prying portion with its shaft and scoop bevel creates mechanical leverage that performs the heavy lifting action. This dimensional change in force application eliminates back strain while maintaining ease of buttonhole access.
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations provide a tool that includes a gripping portion that includes a first substantially flat surface and a second substantially flat surface arranged substantially parallel to the first surface and coupled to the first surface by at least one side surface, wherein the gripping portion is shaped and sized such that a user can hold the gripping portion between a thumb and forefinger of the user; and a prying portion that includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and a shaft portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion is shaped and sized for the user holding the gripping portion to pry scab tissue away from a patient's skin and the second end portion is coupled to the gripping portion at the at least one side surface.