Puncture Apparatus with Vacuum Insertion and Protective Cover

Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical methods for treating urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse involve invasive procedures that risk infection, damage to the urethra or vaginal wall, and require incisions, leading to significant patient burden and risk of complications.

Innovation Solution

A puncture apparatus with a rotatable puncture member and vacuum insertion members for the urethra and vagina, featuring a cover to protect the vaginal wall and a suction mechanism to draw the vaginal or urethral walls into contact with the insertion members, allowing for minimally invasive implantation of a sling without incision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surgical knife is used to incise the vagina for sling implantation, then the sling can be indwelled into the body, but the invasiveness of the procedure increases and the risk of infection and tissue damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of procedureVSAvoidinfection risk and tissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional surgical knife incision method with a puncture needle-based system that creates smaller puncture wounds instead of large incisions. The puncture needle is guided through the vaginal wall under ultrasound imaging, substituting the mechanical cutting action with a minimally invasive puncture mechanism that reduces tissue trauma and infection risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the thermal expansion and contraction properties of the puncture needle. The needle is heated to a specific temperature, inserted into the target tissue, and then allowed to cool, causing it to contract and create a precise puncture channel. This thermal mechanism enables minimal invasive access without requiring large incisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

2Reliability

If the vagina is incised for mesh implantation to treat pelvic organ prolapse, then the prolapsed organ can be supported, but the invasiveness increases and patient burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of treatmentVSAvoidinvasiveness of procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional surgical knife incision method with a puncture needle-based system that creates smaller puncture wounds instead of large incisions. The puncture needle is guided through the vaginal wall under ultrasound imaging, substituting the mechanical cutting action with a minimally invasive puncture mechanism that reduces tissue trauma and infection risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary localization of the puncture site using ultrasound imaging before actual puncture. The target position is identified and marked in advance, ensuring accurate needle placement and minimizing the need for extensive dissection or incision during the main procedure, thereby reducing overall invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If a puncture needle is used to communicate the exfoliated region with the outside, then the sling can be indwelled, but the risk of urethra damage and operator finger tip damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to implant slingVSAvoidrisk of urethra and operator injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary guiding structure that channels the puncture needle along a predetermined safe path. This intermediary mechanism ensures the needle passes through the correct anatomical route, avoiding the urethra and other sensitive structures, while also protecting the operator from accidental needlestick injuries through controlled needle movement and positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional surgical knife incision method with a puncture needle-based system that creates smaller puncture wounds instead of large incisions. The puncture needle is guided through the vaginal wall under ultrasound imaging, substituting the mechanical cutting action with a minimally invasive puncture mechanism that reduces tissue trauma and infection risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 apparatus enables a low-invasive procedure with reduced risk of infection and tissue damage, minimizing the burden on patients and ensuring safe implantation of the sling, thereby reducing complications and improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum area connected to a suction port which is configured to be communicated with a suction source to create a vacuum in the vacuum area of the vaginal-insertion member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9498210B2Puncture apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 TERUMO KK

AI summary

A puncture apparatus includes a puncture member rotatable about a rotation center and having a needle tip which rotates together with the puncture member and is configured to puncture living body tissue. The puncture apparatus is also provided with at least one of: i) a vaginal-insertion member insertable into a vagina of a living body and including a vacuum area connected to a suction port; and ii) a urethra insertion member insertable into a urethra of the living body and including a vacuum area connected to a suction port. A cover covers the vacuum area so that the vacuum area does not contact and damage a vaginal wall of the vagina. The cover is movable relative to the vacuum area to expose the vacuum area.