Integrated Subcutaneous Tunneling and Carrying Tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subcutaneous tunneling and carrying tools for implantable medical devices, such as Spinal Cord Stimulation systems, require separate threaded tips for tunneling and carrying, increasing procedural complexity and risk of thread damage.
Innovation Solution
An integrated subcutaneous tunneling and carrying tool that combines both functions, eliminating the need for separate tips by using a single tool to create a tunnel and carry an electrode lead extension through the tunnel without threaded tip manipulation, featuring various embodiments with different connector designs and carrier mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate threaded tips are used for tunneling and carrying, then the tool can perform both functions, but the procedural complexity increases and thread damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tunneling tip and carrying tip into a single integrated tip structure. The tip includes a tunneling portion for creating the subcutaneous tunnel and a carrying portion for retrieving the lead extension, eliminating the need to unscrew and replace separate threaded tips. This integration directly reduces procedural complexity while maintaining both tunneling and carrying functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated tip serves multiple functions: it acts as both a tunneling instrument and a carrying device. The tip structure includes features that enable both tunnel creation and lead extension retrieval through the same component, reducing the number of tool changes required during the surgical procedure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate threaded tips are used for tunneling and carrying, then the tool can perform both functions, but the risk of thread damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the tunneling and carrying functions into a single tip without threaded connections, the patent eliminates the threads entirely from the tip structure. This removes the vulnerability to thread damage that would occur during the unscrewing and reattaching process, while still providing both tunneling and carrying capabilities through the integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If threaded tips are unscrewed and reattached, then the carrying tip can be installed, but the surgical procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated tip design eliminates the time-consuming steps of unscrewing the tunneling tip and screwing on the carrying tip. The single integrated component requires no intermediate attachment or detachment steps, allowing the surgeon to proceed directly from tunneling to lead extension retrieval without time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The tip is pre-configured as an integrated unit with both tunneling and carrying functions built in before the surgical procedure begins. This preliminary integration of functions means no time needs to be spent on assembling or changing tips during the actual surgical procedure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate threaded tips are used, then the tool can perform specialized functions, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated tip simplifies the surgical workflow by providing a single component that performs both tunneling and lead extension retrieval. The surgeon operates one unified tool rather than managing multiple separate tips, improving ease of operation while maintaining both specialized functions through the integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tool is used to facilitate the implantation of elements of an electrical stimulation system within a human body, and more particularly facilitates surgical procedures followed to connect an electrode lead extension between an Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) and an electrode lead, when the IPG and the electrode lead may not be co-located. In one exemplary embodiment, a removable carrier cover defines an end tunneler portion to facilitate tunneling and a carrier is provided for receiving and holding a portion of a lead, such as a lead connector. Once the tunnel is formed, the removable carrier cover is removed to expose the carrier. The carrier is adapted to carry one or more leads back through the tunnel. In some embodiments of the invention, the tool provides rotational locking and unlocking of the handle relative to the carrier and/or tunneling means.