Conformable Polymeric Lightguide Layer for Surgical Tissue Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical procedures face challenges in illuminating deep and cavernous wounds, as conventional lighting methods are inadequate, often obstructed by the surgeon or scrub nurse, and fail to provide sufficient illumination for clear visualization of tissues during incisions and other medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A medical article comprising a flexible polymeric film with a viscoelastic lightguide layer and a light source optically coupled to it, which uses total internal reflection to emit light from the incision edge, providing conformability and sterilizability, allowing for improved tissue illumination and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional overhead lighting is used to illuminate surgical tissue, then the lighting can illuminate the tissue to a certain degree, but the illumination is blocked by the surgeon or scrub nurse and insufficient for deep and cavernous wounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a lightguide layer as an intermediary between the light source and the surgical site. This lightguide layer captures light from the source and transports it through the incise drape to the surgical field, eliminating the need for direct line-of-sight illumination and preventing blockage by surgical personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from overhead illumination (vertical dimension) to edge illumination through the lightguide layer (lateral dimension). The lightguide layer conducts light along the edge of the incise drape, providing illumination from a different spatial dimension that avoids obstruction by the surgical team.
2Illumination intensity
If a lightguide layer is added to provide illumination, then tissue visualization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lightguide layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural component of the incise drape, provides the adhesive barrier function, and conducts light to illuminate the surgical site. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and minimizes overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the lightguide function with the existing incise drape structure. The lightguide layer is integrated into the drape assembly, combining illumination capabilities with the adhesive barrier function in a single unified device rather than adding separate independent components.
3Shape
If the incise drape is made very thin and conformable for skin retraction, then surgical skin retraction is achieved with little lifting of the drape, but the drape may not provide sufficient structural support for light conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The incise drape is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers including the lightguide layer, adhesive layer, and barrier layer. This composite construction provides both the conformability needed for skin retraction and the structural integrity required for light conduction, as each layer contributes different functional properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightguide layer is positioned specifically at the edge of the incise drape where illumination is most needed, rather than requiring the entire drape to be thick. This localized approach maintains overall conformability while providing sufficient structural support for light conduction at the critical edge region.
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 solution enables effective illumination of tissues during surgical procedures, enhancing visualization and reducing tissue bending indicators, thereby improving surgical precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted by the light source enters the conformable polymeric lightguide layer and is transported within the conformable polymeric lightguide layer by total internal reflection
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and products for illuminating the tissue of a patient wherein the products include a conformable polymeric layer.