Forceps Needles for Lung Vessel Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
During lung resection procedures, clinicians face challenges in identifying the most suitable resection margin, often risking removal of excess normal tissue due to minimal lung reserve in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema.
Innovation Solution
A surgical system comprising forceps with electrically-conductive jaw members and needles that deliver a contrast agent to map vessels, allowing for precise identification of cut lines through imaging, enabling accurate tissue resection while maximizing lung reserve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If extensive lung resections such as lobectomy and pneumonectomy are performed, then optimal surgical results are achieved, but patients with COPD or emphysema cannot tolerate the procedure due to minimal lung reserve
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies segmentation by dividing the lung into anatomical segments and using segmental resection instead of removing entire lobes. The mapping device enables identification of specific segments containing disease, allowing removal of only the affected segment while preserving the rest of the lung tissue, thus achieving optimal surgical results while maintaining lung reserve in patients with COPD or emphysema
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping device enables local quality by providing detailed vascular mapping of specific lung segments. This allows the surgeon to identify precisely which segments contain disease and which are healthy, enabling targeted resection of only the affected areas while preserving healthy tissue, thereby optimizing the balance between surgical effectiveness and lung reserve preservation
2Ease of operation
If clinicians speculate as to the location of the most effective cutting line segment, then the procedure can be performed without advanced mapping, but excess normal tissue may be removed due to inaccurate conjecture
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by performing vascular mapping before the resection procedure. The mapping device is inserted into pulmonary vessels and contrast agent is injected to create images of the vascular tree, allowing the surgeon to identify the precise location of disease and plan the cutting line in advance. This preliminary mapping eliminates the need for speculation and enables accurate identification of resection margins
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping device provides feedback through imaging that shows the vascular distribution and disease location in real-time or near-real-time. This feedback allows the surgeon to adjust the planned cutting line based on actual vascular anatomy and disease extent, ensuring accurate resection margins and preventing removal of excess normal tissue
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
Facilitates quick and accurate transections of unhealthy tissue while preserving healthy tissue, reducing the risk of removing excess normal tissue and optimizing lung reserve.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more needles are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit extending along one or both of the first and second jaw members. The fluid conduit is configured to couple to a source of contrast agent to enable selective delivery of the contrast agent through the one or more needles.
Implementation Method 2
One or both of the first and second jaw members each include an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting surface configured to connect to a source of energy to treat tissue grasped between the first and second jaw members.
Data Source
AI summary
A forceps includes a handle, a shaft having a proximal end coupled to the handle, and an end effector assembly coupled to a distal end of the shaft. The forceps includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the first and second jaw members may include one or more needles extending therefrom. The one or more needles are in fluid communication with a fluid conduit extending along one or both of the first and second jaw members. The fluid conduit couples to a source of contrast agent to enable selective delivery of the contrast agent through the one or more needles.