Double Needle Laparoscopic Guide for Rectus Sheath Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for performing rectus sheath blocks in laparoscopic surgery are inaccurate and require significant skill, leading to underutilization due to concerns about needle placement and the proximity of rectus abdominis muscles, which complicates the delivery of analgesics for effective postoperative pain management.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic analgesic delivery system using a novel single or double needle stylet with an illuminating probe and guide system that allows precise placement of analgesics into the rectus abdominis or transversus abdominis plane, incorporating a suction valve and catheter attachment for self-medication, enabling simultaneous anesthesia of both sides of the rectus abdominis muscles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If blind technique with loss of resistance is used for rectus sheath block, then the procedure can be performed without special training, but needle placement accuracy deteriorates and peritoneal structures cannot be visualized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the blind mechanical advancement technique with an ultrasonography-guided system. The ultrasound probe visualizes the rectus sheath and peritoneal structures in real-time, allowing precise needle placement under direct observation. This substitution of mechanical blind advancement with optical imaging enables both accuracy and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonography system acts as an intermediary between the operator and the anatomical structures. The real-time imaging provides a visual mediator that guides needle placement, allowing operators to see exactly where the needle tip is relative to the rectus sheath and peritoneum, thereby ensuring accurate placement while maintaining ease of operation.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasonography guidance is used for rectus sheath block, then needle placement accuracy and visualization of local anesthetic spread improve, but device complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single ultrasonography-guided system. The same ultrasound probe used for visualization also serves as the guiding mechanism for needle placement and can detect local anesthetic spread. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ultrasonography imaging function with the needle guidance function into a single integrated system. By combining these functions, the system reduces complexity compared to having separate imaging and guidance devices, while still providing accurate needle placement and visualization capabilities.
3Device complexity
If single needle technique is used for rectus sheath block, then procedure simplicity is maintained, but ability to simultaneously anesthetize both sides of rectus abdominis deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate needle techniques into a single integrated double-needle system. Both needles are inserted simultaneously through a single guide catheter, allowing simultaneous anesthetization of both sides of the rectus abdominis. This merging maintains procedural simplicity while dramatically improving productivity and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the single needle function into two parallel needle pathways within a unified system. Each needle can independently deliver analgesic to its respective side of the rectus sheath, allowing simultaneous bilateral anesthesia while maintaining the simplicity of a single guide catheter insertion technique.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional rectus sheath block technique is used, then procedure can be performed without specialized equipment, but postoperative pain management effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional blind mechanical needle advancement with an ultrasonography-guided system. This substitution enables reliable visualization of the rectus sheath and peritoneal structures, ensuring accurate needle placement and effective local anesthetic delivery, thereby dramatically improving pain management effectiveness while maintaining procedure availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonography system provides real-time feedback to the operator during needle placement. The live imaging allows continuous monitoring of needle position relative to anatomical structures and local anesthetic spread, ensuring reliable and effective pain management through precise delivery of the analgesic.
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 system provides accurate and efficient delivery of analgesics, reducing the risk of puncturing the peritoneum and allowing for effective postoperative pain management with increased patient mobility and reduced discomfort, facilitating quicker learning and improved adoption of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
The LED is used to position the distal end just before piercing the peritoneum
Implementation Method 2
A suction valve may be used to fasten the guide device to the skin surface by creating a vacuum seal
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to laparoscopic surgery and procedures designed to minimize and numb the pain associated with laparoscopic surgery, including how to locate the target nerve plane, such as the rectus abdominis sheath and transversus abdominus plane. Specialized single and dual needle devices are used. This is accomplished by applying an analgesic to the rectus abdominal sheath or the transversus abdominus plane. More particularly, the invention relates to a pain reduction means using an analgesic delivering device used in laparoscopic surgery. A specialized probe is used to find the correct position and a specialized guide system to speed up the positioning process.