Catheter-Based Tissue Marking for Minimally Invasive Cardiac Procedures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical pens are not optimal for internal use during cardiac procedures, as the ink used can rub off and are not configured for minimally invasive procedures, lacking appropriate dimensions for insertion through a thoracoscopic trocar.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with an elongated shaft and a distally disposed absorbent tip, allowing for the application of a marking substance to biological tissues, including the use of a sheath that is longitudinally movable between extended and retracted configurations to expose the tip, and the use of magnetic attraction, impedance measurement, or suction for stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical pens are used to mark on a patient's skin, then marking can be performed, but the ink rubs off on internal structures and the device is not configured for minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional surgical pens with a catheter-based marking system that delivers marking substance through a flexible catheter tip. This substitution allows the marking device to be inserted through a thoracoscopic trocar and positioned against internal cardiac structures, where the marking substance is applied directly to the tissue surface without rubbing off, as the catheter tip provides precise control and the marking substance adheres to the internal tissue surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the marking device by reducing the catheter diameter to match the trocar size for minimally invasive access, and by controlling the marking substance delivery parameters (flow rate, concentration) to ensure durable marking on internal structures. The catheter's flexible properties allow it to conform to the cardiac chamber geometry while maintaining marking precision.
2Ease of operation
If conventional surgical pens are used, then marking can be applied, but the device lacks appropriate dimensions for insertion through a thoracoscopic trocar
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the marking system into a separate catheter component that can be inserted through the trocar, with the marking substance delivery function integrated into the catheter tip. This segmentation allows the catheter to be optimized for minimal diameter to fit through the trocar, while the marking substance is delivered precisely at the tip where it contacts the tissue surface, achieving both minimally invasive access and effective marking.
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
Enables precise marking of positions on biological tissues, such as the heart wall, facilitating therapeutic procedures by providing durable and detectable markers that can guide ablation or other treatments, even in minimally invasive settings.
Implementation Method 1
a distally disposed absorbent tip... marking the tissue by applying a marking substance from the tip to the tissue
Implementation Method 2
a sheath that is longitudinally movable between extended and retracted configurations to expose the tip
Implementation Method 3
the use of magnetic attraction, impedance measurement, or suction for stabilization
Implementation Method 4
impedance measurement... Electrically locating the second position on the second surface may include measuring a closed-loop impedance between an instrument on the second surface and an opposing instrument on the first surface
Implementation Method 5
magnetic attraction, impedance measurement, or suction for stabilization
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of performing surgical operations and associated devices are disclosed. An example method may include locating a first position on a first surface of a biological tissue; locating a second position on a second opposing surface of the biological tissue, the second position corresponding to the first position; and marking the second position on the second surface. The second surface may be generally opposite the first surface. An example method may include, after marking the second position, performing a therapeutic procedure on the biological tissue in the vicinity of the second position.