Surgical Tool with Retractable Needle and Suture Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current penile prosthetic implantation procedures involve handling multiple parts, including a Keith needle, which can be hazardous due to its sharp end and may fall out of the introducer, leading to non-sterile conditions and increased risk of needle sticks.
Innovation Solution
A surgical tool with a built-in needle that is biased to move in and out of its bore, allowing for safe ejection and retraction of the needle, reducing exposure to the sharp end and incorporating a slot for suture engagement, simplifying the implantation process by integrating needle handling and measurement functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a Keith needle is used for suture engagement, then the implantation procedure can be performed, but the sharp end may fall out of the introducer causing hazardous conditions and needle stick risks
Solution Approach 1:
The needle is nested within the introducer device, with the introducer serving as a protective sheath that contains the sharp needle during storage and handling. The needle can be advanced out of the introducer when needed but remains retractable, eliminating the hazard of the sharp end falling out while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The needle is designed to be dynamically movable relative to the introducer, transitioning between a retracted safe state and an extended operational state. This dynamic configuration allows the needle to be exposed only when actively used for suture engagement, reducing unnecessary exposure risks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate parts are used for implantation, then each function can be specialized, but the number of parts to handle increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer device merges multiple functions into a single integrated tool: it serves as both the delivery mechanism for the needle and the measuring device for corpora cavernosum dimensions. The introducer also provides protective containment for the needle. This consolidation reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining specialized functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform measurement, needle delivery, and protective containment functions. This universal design allows a single device to replace multiple separate tools, simplifying the overall implantation system while maintaining specialized capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If the needle is constantly exposed for suture engagement, then easy access is provided, but the risk of contamination and needle sticks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The needle transitions from a retracted protected state to an extended accessible state only when needed for suture engagement. This dynamic control ensures the needle is accessible when required while minimizing exposure time and reducing contamination and needle stick risks during storage and handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the sharp needle and the external environment. It allows controlled access to the needle when needed while maintaining protection during non-use, mediating between the need for accessibility and the need for safety.
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect provides advancing a distal end of a needle out of a bore of a tool, and capturing a suture in a slot formed through an exterior surface of the needle, with the suture engaged with a penile implant. The method includes retracting the distal end of the needle and a portion of the suture into the bore of the tool, and inserting a shaft of the tool into a corpora cavernosum of a penis and forcing the distal end of the needle and the portion of the suture out of the bore of the tool and through a glans of the penis. The method includes retracting the needle into the bore and retaining the portion of the suture exterior to the glans of the penis. Pulling on the suture pulls the penile implant into the corpora cavernosum of the penis.