Surgical Access Device with Permeable Membrane for Infection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical site infection (SSI) prevention methods are inadequate, as existing devices are difficult to use, require multiple components, and fail to optimize fluid management, leading to increased healthcare costs and infection risks.

Innovation Solution

A surgical access device with an integrated pliable membrane that provides barrier wound protection and incorporates fluid delivery and removal functions, allowing for adjustable incision size and improved fluid management through a permeable membrane with fluid and suction channels, reducing the risk of contamination and infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If degradable sponges are implanted in the incision to combat wound infections, then infection prevention is attempted, but wound infection rates increase due to immune system reaction to the foreign body

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidimmune system reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable adhesive barrier film that is applied to the incision site and removed after a single use. This disposable approach eliminates the need for implantable devices that persist in the body, thereby avoiding chronic foreign body reactions while providing effective infection prevention during the critical post-operative period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes a thin, flexible adhesive barrier film that conformally adheres to the incision site. This film provides a physical barrier against contamination while being thin enough to minimize interference with wound healing and avoid significant immune system reaction compared to bulk implantable materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If surgeons irrigate the incision with saline or antibiotics, then infection risk is reduced, but surgical progress is disrupted and operative time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection risk reductionVSAvoidoperative time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive barrier film is applied to the incision site before the surgical procedure begins and remains in place throughout the entire operation. This preliminary protection eliminates the need for repeated irrigation interruptions during surgery, as the barrier continuously prevents contamination without requiring surgical pause for fluid application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier film provides continuous protection throughout the surgical procedure and immediate post-operative period without interruption. Unlike irrigation which requires periodic application and causes surgical disruption, the adhesive film maintains constant barrier function, ensuring continuous infection prevention while allowing uninterrupted surgical progress.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If barrier wound protectors are used to prevent bacterial egress, then infection prevention is provided, but the incision is inevitably exposed to infectious contents when the barrier is removed and bacteria may be trapped on the wound surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection preventionVSAvoidbacterial trapping

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive barrier film maintains continuous protection from the time of application through the entire surgical procedure and into the immediate post-operative period. The film is designed to be removed only after it has served its protective function, and its adhesive properties ensure it lifts away from the wound surface without leaving bacteria trapped, as it separates cleanly from the healed or healing tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 device simplifies surgical procedures, reduces the risk of SSI by providing effective fluid management and adjustable incision size, thereby minimizing infection risks and operational costs while enhancing surgical access and visualization.

Implementation Method 1

The pliable membrane has a superior end and an inferior end, a base layer, a permeable membrane attached to the base layer and a fluid channel. The fluid channel is disposed between the base layer and the permeable membrane, and the fluid channel is fluidly coupled to a fluid source. Fluid from the fluid source is delivered to the surgical site via the permeable membrane.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid delivery through permeable membrane: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBarrier protection: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS9974564B2Methods and devices for the prevention of incisional surgical site infections

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 PRESCIENT SURGICAL INC

AI summary

A surgical access device for facilitating access through an incision to a surgical site in a patient's body has a pliable membrane which is configured to engage and expand the incision. The pliable membrane includes a base layer, a permeable membrane attached to the base layer, and a fluid channel disposed between the layers. The fluid channel is fluidly coupled to a fluid source. The fluid is delivered to the surgical site via the permeable membrane. The surgical access device may also have a locking mechanism for holding the device in a desired configuration.