Pinchability Test for Implant Removal Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current method for removing contraceptive implant rods lacks standardization and is prone to variability in procedure time and skill dependency, posing risks of slippage or deeper penetration, and is not easily performed by lower-level healthcare staff.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of the 'pinchability test' as a screening method to determine if a subcutaneously implanted rod can be removed using the RemovAid™ device, which involves checking if the implant can be gripped between the thumb and finger and lifted away from underlying tissue, thereby standardizing the removal process and reducing procedural variability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the current manual removal method with scalpels and forceps is used, then the procedure can be performed by any healthcare provider with surgical skills, but the procedure time is highly variable (0.2-60 min) and skill-dependent
Solution Approach 1:
The RemovAid device acts as an intermediary tool between the operator and the implant, providing a standardized mechanism for removal that reduces dependency on individual operator skills. The device includes a needle that creates an incision and a retrieval element that engages with the implant, creating a controlled and repeatable removal process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameters of the removal procedure by introducing a dedicated device with specific geometric features (needle angle, retrieval element configuration) that standardize the interaction with the implant, thereby reducing procedure time variability.
2Device complexity
If the current manual removal method is used, then no specialized removal device is needed, but there is a risk of slippage of the scalpel blade or sudden movement causing deeper penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The RemovAid device merges multiple functions into a single integrated tool: the needle creates the incision, the retrieval element engages with the implant, and the handle provides control. This combination reduces the number of separate instruments needed and minimizes the risk of slippage associated with multiple tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The device serves as a safe intermediary that controls the interaction between the operator and the implant, providing mechanical advantages that prevent excessive force application and reduce the risk of deeper penetration or tissue damage.
3Measurement precision
If the VAP scoring method is used to screen implant removal difficulty, then a systematic approach is provided, but it requires categorizing implants by several subjective features which is cumbersome and not easily performed by lower level health care staff
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential assessment criterion from the complex VAP scoring system, focusing on the single most important factor: whether the implant is palpable and accessible. This simplification makes the screening process accessible to lower-level healthcare staff while maintaining adequate assessment quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex scoring system to determine suitability for removal, the invention inverts the approach by providing a dedicated device that makes removal feasible for a broader range of implants, thereby expanding access to removal services.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for selecting a patient for an implant removal procedure, wherein the patient as a subcutaneously implanted rod and is in need of removal of said rod.