Sling Implant Delivery System with Separate Tunneler and Insertion Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical methods for treating pelvic conditions like urinary incontinence and prolapse often require complex procedures with multiple incisions and simultaneous path and placement complexities, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased trauma to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A multi-tool delivery system comprising a tunneler tool and an insertion tool, which allows for the creation of a tissue path separate from the implant placement, enabling precise anchoring of a sling implant with adjustable tension using a single incision and reducing procedural complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current surgical methods are used to treat pelvic conditions, then the implant can be placed to support tissue, but the procedure requires complex simultaneous path formation and placement with multiple incisions, leading to increased trauma and potential inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical system is segmented into separate functional components: a tunneler tool for creating tissue paths and an insertion tool for placing the implant. This segmentation allows each tool to be optimized for its specific function, enabling precise implant placement through a simplified two-step process rather than a complex simultaneous procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The tunneler tool creates the tissue path in advance before the implant is inserted. This preliminary action of path formation separates the complexity of navigation from the precision of placement, allowing the implant to be accurately positioned along a pre-established trajectory with minimal trauma
2Reliability
If multiple incisions are made for implant placement, then the implant can be secured to supportive tissue, but the trauma to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple surgical functions into a single incision site. The tunneler tool creates the path and the insertion tool delivers the implant through the same incision, eliminating the need for multiple separate incisions while maintaining reliable anchoring of the implant to supportive tissue
3Productivity
If simultaneous path formation and implant placement are performed, then the procedure can be completed in one step, but inaccuracies increase and precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The procedure is segmented into two sequential steps: first creating the tissue path with the tunneler tool, then placing the implant with the insertion tool. This segmentation improves placement accuracy by separating the navigation function from the placement function, while maintaining procedural efficiency through a streamlined two-step process
Data Source
AI summary
Described are implants and tools for use in treating pelvic conditions such as incontinence, including urinary incontinence in a male or female, for example an incontinence sling and delivery system that can include a sling implant and delivery tool system, wherein the implant can include a mesh sling and one or more anchors provided at or extending from a portion of the sling to facilitate tissue fixation; the delivery tool system can include at least a tunneler having a lumen, and an insertion tool; and wherein useful methods can involve inserting the tunneler through an incision and into a pelvic region of a patient, connecting the insertion tool to the sling, and inserting the sling into the tunneler to place the sling to provide tissue support.