Radio-opaque Surgical Marking Composition for Fluoroscopic Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical site marking solutions are inadequate as they are invisible under fluoroscopic imaging, cannot provide customized markings, and are not durable enough to remain visible during procedures, leading to potential wrong site, wrong patient, and wrong procedure errors.
Innovation Solution
A radio-opaque marking composition and apparatus that is visible under common imaging modalities, non-toxic, and biocompatible, allowing for clear and precise markings on patients' skin or surgical drapes, resistant to bleeding, perspiration, and surgical prep solutions, and can be applied in a controlled thickness for long-lasting visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional surgical site marking solutions are used, then the markings are visible in normal light, but they are invisible under fluoroscopic imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The marking composition combines radio-opaque materials (such as barium sulfate, bismuth subgallate, or tungsten compounds) with surgical marking dyes to create a composite material that exhibits both radio-opacity for fluoroscopic visibility and appropriate color for normal light visibility, thereby simultaneously achieving both visibility requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the marking material by incorporating radio-opaque substances with high atomic numbers that attenuate X-rays, transforming the material properties to enable dual visibility modes without compromising either function
2Duration of action of stationary object
If current marking solutions are applied, then they provide basic site identification, but they are not durable enough to remain visible during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The composite formulation integrates radio-opaque particles with surgical-grade dyes and binding agents that provide enhanced durability, making the markings resistant to bleeding, perspiration, and surgical prep solutions, ensuring the markings persist throughout the entire procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The marking composition is pre-formulated with protective components that shield the marking from degradation by perspiration, blood, and surgical antiseptics, providing beforehand protection against factors that would otherwise cause the markings to fade or disappear
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional marking materials are used, then they can be applied easily, but they cannot provide customized markings for precise targeting
Solution Approach 1:
The marking apparatus is designed as a universal tool that can create various customized markings including letters, numbers, symbols, and geometric shapes, allowing precise identification of multiple different sites while maintaining ease of operation through a single device
4Illumination intensity
If radio-opaque materials are incorporated into marking composition, then visibility under imaging is improved, but the composition may become toxic or non-biocompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully selects radio-opaque materials based on their atomic number and chemical properties, choosing substances like barium sulfate and bismuth subgallate that provide sufficient radio-opacity while maintaining non-toxicity and biocompatibility for surgical use on human skin
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 provides clear, unambiguous, and durable markings that remain visible throughout procedures, enhancing the accuracy of minimally invasive treatments and reducing the risk of surgical errors by ensuring correct patient and site identification under imaging.
Implementation Method 1
radio-opaque markings that are also visible in normal light... visible under common imaging modalities... radio-opaque markings act as aids for real-time tracking of the radiotherapy beam
Data Source
AI summary
A radio-opaque composition is formulated to enable a clinician to apply custom markings to a surface, such as a patient's skin or a surgical drape on the patient. More specifically, the radio-opaque composition may be used to write on the surface. The markings may be well-defined and contrast with the surface to which they are applied. Such a composition may include a liquid radio-opaque component that includes one or more radio-opaque materials that have been dissolved in a solvent, as well as a solid radio-opaque component with particles of one or more radio-opaque materials dispersed throughout a carrier, such as the solvent of the liquid radio-opaque component. Marking apparatuses that may be used to write with the radio-opaque composition are also disclosed, as are methods for using the radio-opaque composition.