Conical Frustum Delivery Device for Prosthetic Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for placing prosthetic implants, such as breast implants, often result in unnecessary tissue manipulation and subsequent scar tissue formation, leading to complications like capsular contracture and infection, due to aggressive handling during implantation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device in the shape of a conical frustum with a lubricious and surface active coating is used to minimize tissue disruption, featuring a sealed proximal end and an open distal end with an elongated slit, allowing for easy egress of the implant with reduced friction and antimicrobial benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If aggressive handling is used during implantation to ensure proper placement, then the implant can be positioned correctly, but tissue manipulation increases leading to scar tissue formation and capsular contracture
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's manipulation and the implant, providing a controlled interface that minimizes direct tissue handling. The implant is contained within the delivery device until placement, reducing exposure to traumatic forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device changes the physical state of implant delivery from direct manual manipulation to a controlled ejection process. By transforming the implant from a freely handled object to one contained and then precisely expelled, tissue trauma is reduced while placement precision is maintained.
2Manufacturing precision
If the implant is held securely during surgery to prevent movement, then placement accuracy is improved, but tissue disruption increases due to aggressive manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device serves as a mediator that secures the implant during transport and positioning without requiring aggressive tissue manipulation. The device's structure provides stable implant containment while the ejection mechanism enables gentle placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical manipulation of the implant with a controlled ejection system. Instead of manually positioning and securing the implant through tissue handling, the device uses a mechanical ejection mechanism to place the implant with minimal tissue interaction.
3Manufacturing precision
If the implant is manipulated extensively to achieve proper positioning, then placement precision is improved, but the risk of infection increases due to prolonged tissue exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device performs preliminary actions of implant containment, transport, and positioning preparation before the actual implantation. This preliminary containment reduces the time the implant and surgical site are exposed to potential contaminants during the positioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device acts as a protective intermediary that maintains a controlled environment for the implant during the surgical procedure. By keeping the implant enclosed until the moment of placement, the device minimizes exposure to infectious agents while still enabling precise positioning.
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 device reduces the formation of scar tissue and minimizes complications by minimizing tissue manipulation and providing antimicrobial protection, enhancing the safety and efficacy of prosthetic implant placement.
Implementation Method 1
The interior surface of the frustum is coated with a lubricious coating, such as a hydrophilic gel, that reduces the coefficient of friction
Implementation Method 2
Movement of the prosthetic implant out of the frustum and across the one or more surface active coatings causes interaction between the prosthetic implant and one or more surface active coatings, thereby proving the benefits that the one or more surface active coatings offer
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device for assisting in the placement of a prosthetic implant. One or more sheets of polymer are in the form of a conical frustum such that a proximal end is sealed and a distal end is open, with an elongated slit extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. A single opening is formed by the distal opening and the elongated slit with a set of inter-lockable fastener elements disposed along opposing sides and configured to seal the elongated slit such that the distal end remains open to allow for egress of the prosthetic implant for placement into a surgical pocket. A lubricious coating is applied to the interior cavity of the frustum in addition to one or more surface active coatings. Movement of the prosthetic implant across the one or more surface active coatings causes the coatings to provide one or more offered benefits.