Degradable Probe Base Prevents Reuse in Electrical Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical treatments for hemorrhoids, such as direct current therapy, face challenges including pain, complications, and the risk of nosocomial infections due to the reuse of single-use probes, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and progression of hemorrhoidal disease.
Innovation Solution
A probe designed for direct current electrical therapy with a degradable material base that degrades upon sterilization, featuring a monopolar electrode configuration with a bent region and projecting members for tissue engagement, ensuring safe and effective treatment while preventing probe reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If probes are sterilized and reused, then treatment cost is reduced, but risk of nosocomial infections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is designed as a single-use disposable device with a base made of degradable material that destroys itself during autoclave sterilization. This eliminates the risk of nosocomial infections from probe reuse while keeping the device cost-effective through the use of biodegradable materials. The probe is intended to be discarded after one use, ensuring patient safety without requiring complex sterilization protocols.
2Reliability
If degradable material is used for probe base, then probe destruction upon sterilization occurs preventing reuse, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe base is constructed from degradable materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyglycolic acid (PGA) that undergo structural destruction when exposed to autoclave conditions (high temperature and pressure steam). This parameter change in material properties upon sterilization ensures the probe cannot be reused, providing reliability for single-use application while using well-established biodegradable polymer manufacturing processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use probes are used, then nosocomial infection risk is reduced, but treatment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probe utilizes inexpensive biodegradable materials for the base construction, making the disposable nature cost-effective. The simplicity of the design and use of common biodegradable polymers keeps manufacturing costs low, allowing single-use probes to be more economical than the potential costs associated with nosocomial infections from probe reuse.
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 probe provides a safe and effective treatment for hemorrhoids by ensuring proper sterilization and reducing the risk of infection, while its disposable nature prevents nosocomial infections and facilitates efficient hemorrhoidal lesion treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The degradable material is subject to degradation upon sterilization such as by autoclaving
Implementation Method 2
A probe for use with an instrument designed for direct current electrical therapy of hemorrhoidal lesions
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are probes for use in delivering electrical current therapy to a target tissue. In specifically exemplified embodiments, the probes comprise a base comprised of a degradable material so as to prevent the potentially dangerous reuse of the probes. Also disclosed is a surgical tool for use in rectal examination and surgical removal of hemorrhoid tissue. The tool includes an anoscope having a somewhat conical shape wherein the proximal end is larger in diameter than the distal end. The anoscope has a first slot near the proximal end and a second slot near the distal end. An obturator is included that also has a somewhat conical shape. The obturator is smaller in diameter than the anoscope so that it will easily fit within the anoscope. A cylindrical shaped light cover is included as well, which is adapted to engage the first slot of the anoscope. The light cover further includes a receptacle and a lens in its distal end which receives a light.