Protective Mesh Shield for Circumcision Blade Injury Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures on the penis, particularly circumcision, pose a risk of unintentional injury due to accidental slips of surgical blades, which can cut through the skin or vital tissues, including femoral arteries.
Innovation Solution
A protective apparatus comprising a flexible mesh with a central opening and an outer perimeter, made of materials like stainless steel or medical-grade plastics, designed to resist penetration by surgical tools, is used to cover the penis during procedures, ensuring safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective mesh is placed over the penis during circumcision, then patient safety is improved by preventing accidental blade penetration, but device complexity increases due to the additional protective layer
Solution Approach 1:
A mesh barrier is introduced as an intermediary layer between the surgical blade and the patient's skin. This mesh acts as a mediator that allows the surgical procedure to proceed while simultaneously providing protection against accidental deep penetration, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and procedural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The protective barrier is implemented as a flexible mesh rather than a rigid structure. This flexible mesh conformally fits over the penis, providing protection while maintaining ease of application and removal, and avoiding the complexity associated with rigid protective structures
2Reliability
If the mesh wires are placed sufficiently close together to prevent scalpel penetration, then protection effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to the need for tight wire spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The wire diameter and spacing parameters of the mesh are specifically optimized to provide adequate protection. By selecting appropriate wire dimensions and spacing, the mesh achieves effective protection against scalpel penetration while remaining manufacturable with standard precision capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh is constructed from wire material with specific mechanical properties that balance strength and flexibility. The composite structure of closely spaced wires provides the necessary protection effectiveness while the material selection allows for practical manufacturing
3Reliability
If the outer perimeter diameter is increased to provide adequate coverage, then protection coverage is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in positioning and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is designed as a flexible structure that can be easily positioned and conformally applied to the penis. This flexibility compensates for the larger perimeter size, making the device easy to handle and position while still providing adequate coverage area for protection
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use during a medical procedure with a medical device on or proximate to a penis comprises a body with an opening therethrough sized at a minimum that an infant penis can project through the opening in use during the medical procedure. During the procedure the apparatus is placed over a patent's penis with the penis projecting through the opening and with the body proximate to the patient's skin for providing protection during the medical procedure. An attachment is present on the inner diameter of the mesh enabling attachments to currently used medical devices in circumcisions, such as Gompco clamps, providing optimal surface area protection.