Needle Handling Device for Penile Prosthetic Implantation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current penile prosthetic implantation procedures lack efficient tools for handling and controlling needles during the surgical insertion of penile prosthetic cylinders, which can lead to complications and increased risk for healthcare workers.

Innovation Solution

A needle handling device attachable to a penile prosthetic insertion tool, featuring an attachment section, a needle capturing section, and an intermediate section, allows for controlled deployment and extraction of the needle through the glans penis, reducing trauma to the tissue and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional introducer tool is used to deliver the needle through the corpora cavernosum, then the needle can be inserted to measure penis length, but the needle cannot be easily extracted and controlled, leading to increased risk of needle sticks for healthcare workers and tissue trauma

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesafetyVSAvoidneedle handling control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional segments: an introducer tool for initial needle delivery, a needle capturing section with jaw members for grasping the needle, and an extraction mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the introducer delivers the needle precisely, while the capturing section provides controlled extraction and retrieval, resolving the contradiction between safe needle handling and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle capturing section acts as an intermediary between the introducer tool and the needle. It provides a controlled interface that grasps the needle via jaw members and facilitates safe extraction from the patient's body. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct manual handling of the needle tip, reducing healthcare worker exposure risk while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the needle is delivered directly through the glans penis without a capturing mechanism, then the procedure is simpler, but the needle cannot be safely extracted and controlled, increasing the risk of needle sticks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure simplicityVSAvoidneedle stick risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device converts the potential harm of needle exposure into a benefit by using the needle's own passage through the tissue as a guide for the capturing mechanism. The jaw members are positioned to engage the needle as it exits the glans, transforming the dangerous exposed needle tip into a controlled element that can be safely retrieved. This approach maintains procedural simplicity while eliminating the harmful needle stick risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If a needle capturing mechanism is added to the introducer tool, then needle control and safety are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle controlVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The needle capturing section is merged with the introducer tool to form an integrated device. The jaw members are positioned within the introducer's barrel, and the extraction mechanism utilizes the existing structural framework of the introducer. This merging approach provides improved needle control and safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity, as the capturing functionality is incorporated into the existing introducer design rather than being a separate component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9603593B2Needle handling device and a method for implanting a penile prosthetic insert

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 COLOPLAST AS

AI summary

Disclosed is a needle handling device engageable to an introducer tool used for implantation of a penile prosthetic insert in a corpora cavernosum of a penis. The needle handling device includes an attachment section, a needle capturing section and an intermediate section. The attachment section is provided at a first end of the needle handling device and is releasably attached to the introducer tool. The needle capturing section is provided at a second end of the needle handling device and is configured to capture and extract a needle out of the introducer tool. The intermediate section connects the first and the second end of the needle handling device. A method of implanting a penile prosthetic insert in a corpora cavernosum of a penis using a needle handling device is also disclosed.