Fluorescent Indication Clip for Surgical Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

During surgical operations for colon and stomach cancer, it is challenging for surgeons to accurately detect the incision region due to the difference in visual angles and ranges obtained through endoscopes and abdominal or laparoscopic views, leading to variable incision accuracy and increased risk of side effects from excessive incisions.

Innovation Solution

A fluorescent indication clip with a photo-reactive fluorescent material is integrated into a bio-clip, featuring an automatically opening clip body, a detachable fluorescent indicator, and a clamper, allowing for precise positioning and detection of the operation region using a harmless light source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a bio-clip is used to mark the position of tissue to be incised, then the incision region can be identified, but the surgeon cannot directly detect the accurate position of the incision region during the operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincision position detection accuracyVSAvoidsurgeon's ability to detect clip position
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color changes by incorporating a fluorescent material into the bio-clip that emits light when exposed to specific wavelengths. This allows the clip to change its optical properties from invisible to visible, enabling surgeons to detect the clip's position during operations using endoscopes or laparoscopes without requiring direct visual contact with the clip itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Measurement precision

If visual inspection through endoscope is performed, then internal operation region can be examined, but the visual angle and range are totally different from abdominal or laparoscopic view, making it difficult to accurately detect incision region

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincision region detection accuracyVSAvoidvisual angle and range information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a fluorescent indicator as an intermediary between the bio-clip and the surgeon's detection system. The fluorescent material converts the invisible clip position into a detectable signal that can be perceived through existing endoscopic or laparoscopic visualization systems, bridging the gap between the internal operation region and the surgeon's visual field without requiring new visualization technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution enables rapid and accurate detection of the operation region, improving surgical precision and reducing side effects from excessive incisions, while being compatible with existing endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures without additional video equipment.

Implementation Method 1

a fluorescent indicator prepared at a rear end of the clip body and including a photo-reactive fluorescent material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP2269518B1Fluorescent indication clip for surgery
Publication Date: 2016.05.11 NATIONAL CANCER CENTER(JP)
  • EP2269518B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2269518B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2269518B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a fluorescent indication clip (100) for surgery that has an improved function as a position indicator due to a photo-reactive fluorescent material (122) included in the bio-clip, and allows people to rapidly and easily detect the accurate position of an internal operation region, and thus can improve operation accuracy and reduce side effects caused by excessive incision. The fluorescent indication clip includes a self-spreadable clip body (110), a fluorescent indicator (120) prepared at the rear end of the clip body and including a photo-reactive fluorescent material, and a clamper (130) configured to slide from a position at which the clamper is mounted on the fluorescent indicator to the clip body by an external force, and fasten the clip body to narrow front ends of the clip body.