Flat-Surface Vaginal Manipulator for Pelvic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vaginal manipulators used in pelvic surgeries often have round or cylindrical shapes that are not anatomically suitable for the vagina, making it difficult to suture tissues effectively and providing limited visualization and angular manipulation, which can hinder efficient surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an elongated portion and a head portion that includes two flat surfaces, where the head portion has a greater width than the elongated portion, providing a larger surface area for tissue manipulation and allowing for easier dissection and suturing, along with optional features like a light source and articulating mechanism for enhanced visualization and angular adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a round or cylindrical shape is used for the manipulator, then the device can be easily manufactured, but it provides a small area for manipulation and does not function as a positive stop during suturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the opposite of spheroidality by using flat surfaces instead of curved surfaces. The head portion features flat surfaces that provide a positive stop during suturing and a larger area for manipulation, directly addressing the limitation of cylindrical shapes while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple geometric forms.
Solution Approach 2:
The manipulator transitions from a symmetric cylindrical shape to an asymmetric design where the head portion has flat surfaces on one or more sides. This asymmetry provides functional advantages for suturing and tissue manipulation while the overall structure remains simple for manufacturing.
2Device complexity
If a round or cylindrical manipulator is used, then the device structure is simple, but it does not cooperate completely with the shape of the vagina which is wide and not completely cylindrical
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator features local quality variation where the head portion has flat surfaces specifically designed to match the anatomical contours of the vagina, while the elongated portion maintains a simpler cylindrical structure. This localized adaptation improves anatomical cooperation without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
3Device complexity
If a manipulator with limited angular manipulation is used, then the device structure is simpler, but it does not provide wide range of angular manipulation required for efficient surgical procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator incorporates dynamic elements that allow angular manipulation and adjustment during surgical procedures. The device can be rotated and positioned at various angles to accommodate different surgical approaches, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A medical device and a method for manipulating bodily tissues are described. The medical device includes an elongated portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The elongated portion has a defined width referred to as first width. The medical device further includes a head portion extending from the distal end portion of the elongated portion. The head portion includes a first flat surface on a first side and a second flat surface on a second side opposite the first side. The head portion has a defined width referred to as second width. The second width is greater than the first width.