Tissue Expander Aspiration Needle for Seroma Drainage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue expanders lack effective means for draining fluids, such as seroma, that accumulate around the shell after implantation, necessitating the use of external surgical drains and causing discomfort to patients.

Innovation Solution

A method and device involving a needle with lateral openings and a magnetic detector to aspirate fluids from the breast tissue surrounding the expander, ensuring accurate needle placement and fluid removal through a marked injection port.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional tissue expanders with single injection ports are used, then the device structure remains simple, but fluid drainage capability is completely absent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid drainage capabilityVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection port assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both an injection port for fluid introduction and as a drainage port for fluid removal. The single port structure with its septum and needle guard enables both inflating and deflating operations, as well as seroma drainage when the needle is positioned in the breast tissue rather than through the septum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If external surgical drains are used to remove accumulated fluid, then fluid drainage is achieved, but patient comfort is reduced and recovery is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoiddrainage system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage function is merged with the existing injection port structure. The same port used for injecting expanders also serves for draining seroma fluid. This integration eliminates the need for separate external drainage systems, allowing patients to avoid traumatic drain emptying while still achieving effective fluid removal through the implanted device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If a needle with lateral openings is used for aspiration, then fluid removal efficiency is improved, but the risk of improper needle placement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid removal efficiencyVSAvoidneedle placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guard includes visual indicators (colored zones or markings) that change or become visible to indicate proper needle insertion depth and lateral opening positioning. These visual cues help ensure the lateral openings are correctly positioned within the breast tissue for effective seroma aspiration while preventing improper placement that could damage the expander or fail to drain fluid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the needle is inserted deep enough to reach the expander, then fluid aspiration is enabled, but the risk of damaging the expander shell increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid aspiration capabilityVSAvoidexpander integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The needle guard structure provides a physical barrier and cushioning element that prevents the needle from penetrating too deeply and damaging the expander shell. The guard absorbs excess insertion force and stops the needle at a safe depth, allowing the lateral openings to access seroma fluid while protecting the integrity of the implanted expander device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 efficient and minimally invasive fluid aspiration directly from the breast tissue, reducing the need for external drains and enhancing patient comfort and recovery.

Implementation Method 1

using a magnetic detector to identify a location of an injection port of the tissue expander

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

aspirating fluids from the breast tissue surrounding the expander

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNegative pressure aspiration: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12544176B2Systems, devices and methods for aspirating fluids that collect around tissue expanders that are implanted in breast tissue

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 MENTOR WORLDWIDE LLC

AI summary

A method of removing fluid from breast tissue surrounding a tissue expander includes identifying a location of an injection port of a tissue expander, and obtaining a needle including a needle shaft defining a lumen, the needle including a closed tip at the distal end of the needle shaft and at least one lateral opening formed in an outer wall of the needle shaft that is in fluid communication with the lumen. The method includes inserting the closed tip of the needle through skin of the patient, the breast tissue, and the injection port until the closed tip of the needle contacts a needle guard, visually confirming that the at least one lateral opening of the needle is not located outside of the patient's skin, and aspirating fluid from the breast tissue via the at least one lateral opening of the needle.