Scalpel Blade Holder With Blunt Probe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional scalpel blade handles pose risks of inadvertent trauma to vital abdominal organs during surgeries due to excessive pressure and require the use of additional instruments for incision, particularly in procedures involving small animals, emaciated, geriatric, or neonatal patients with minimal intra-abdominal fat, leading to inefficiency and increased morbidity and mortality risks.
Innovation Solution
A scalpel blade holder with a handle, blunt probe, and removable scalpel blade that allows for a single-handed operation, where the blunt probe tents and directs tissue away from vital organs, facilitating an upward cutting vector and eliminating the need for secondary instruments like forceps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional scalpel blade handle is used to make an incision, then the incision can be made, but excessive downward pressure may result in inadvertent trauma to vital abdominal organs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a blunt probe as an intermediary element between the scalpel blade and the tissue. The probe is inserted first to tent and elevate the tissue away from underlying organs, creating a safe pathway. This intermediary structure allows the subsequent incision to be made safely without directly pressing the blade against vulnerable organs, thus resolving the contradiction between making an incision and avoiding organ trauma.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If forceps are used to tent the incision area, then tissue can be elevated, but the use of two different instruments makes the procedure inefficient and awkward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the tissue-elevating function (previously performed by forceps) and the incision-making function (performed by scalpel) into a single integrated instrument. The handle contains both a blunt probe for tenting/elevating tissue and a scalpel blade for cutting, allowing the surgeon to perform both functions sequentially with one instrument, thereby eliminating the inefficiency of switching between multiple instruments while maintaining tissue elevation capability.
3Productivity
If a standard scalpel blade handle is used, then the incision can be made quickly, but the surgeon lacks control over cutting direction and depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring the blunt probe to be inserted and positioned first, tenting the tissue and establishing the desired incision pathway before the scalpel blade is activated. This preliminary positioning action provides the surgeon with full control over the cutting direction and depth, as the probe has already defined the safe trajectory. The subsequent blade activation follows this pre-established path, maintaining both control and efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A scalpel blade holder including a handle, a blunt probe, and a blade. A method of using the scalpel blade holder including inserting the blunt probe into a small incision, and advancing the scalpel blade holder to create the incision.