Medical Introducer with Magnetic Sensor for Tissue Perforation Mitigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices for treating menorrhagia face challenges such as tissue perforation during insertion and improper placement, which can lead to patient trauma and prolonged procedures, often requiring blind insertion and additional tools for verification.

Innovation Solution

A medical device equipped with an introducer and sensor system that provides a signal when a predetermined section is inside a body cavity, eliminating the need for feeler tools and reducing the risk of tissue perforation by ensuring accurate placement without hysteroscopy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If blind insertion method is used, then device can be inserted into uterus, but tissue perforation risk increases and placement accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoidplacement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical verification methods (feeler tools, hysteroscopy) with a magnetic sensor system that detects the position of a magnet embedded in the introducer. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical contact tools while providing accurate position feedback, thereby maintaining insertion ease while improving placement accuracy and reducing tissue perforation risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnet as an intermediary element embedded in the introducer and a magnetic sensor in the applicator to detect its position. This intermediary magnetic field system enables non-contact detection of introducer position, allowing accurate placement verification without mechanical contact, thus resolving the contradiction between easy insertion and reliable placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If feeler tools are used to verify placement, then device position can be checked, but tissue perforation risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement verification accuracyVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical feeler tools with a magnetic detection system. The sensor detects the position of the magnet in the introducer through non-contact magnetic field sensing, providing accurate placement verification without mechanical contact. This eliminates tissue trauma associated with feeler tools while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as an intermediary between the introducer and sensor, enabling position detection without physical contact. The magnet embedded in the introducer and the magnetic sensor create a contactless measurement system that verifies placement accuracy without causing tissue perforation or trauma.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If hysteroscopy is performed, then device placement can be verified, but procedure time increases and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement verification accuracyVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hysteroscopy (a complex visual verification procedure) with a simple magnetic sensor detection system. The sensor provides immediate feedback on introducer position through magnetic field detection, eliminating the need for time-consuming hysteroscopic procedures while maintaining accurate placement verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field acts as an intermediary that provides instant position information without requiring visual inspection procedures. The magnet-sensor system delivers real-time placement verification data, significantly reducing procedure time compared to hysteroscopy while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If multiple verification tools are used, then placement accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement verification accuracyVSAvoidnumber of tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple verification functions into a single magnetic sensor system. Instead of using separate feeler tools, position indicators, and hysteroscopy equipment, the magnetic sensor integrates all placement verification functions into one simple device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic sensor serves multiple functions: detecting introducer position, verifying placement accuracy, and providing real-time feedback. This single multi-functional component replaces multiple specialized tools, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining or improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11950964B2Medical device with mitigation for tissue perforation

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 GYRUS ACMI INC

AI summary

A medical device that includes an introducer and a sensor. The introducer is configured to be inserted into a body cavity through a constricted channel. The introducer includes a predetermined section. The sensor is configured to generate a signal while the predetermined section of the introducer is located inside of the body cavity.