Surgical Glove With Integrated Support Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surgical systems face issues with entanglement of cords and conduits, difficulty in simultaneous use of multiple surgical support systems, and challenges such as clogged suction lines and accidental instrument activation, which hinder efficient and sterile surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A surgical system featuring gloves with integrated support systems like light sources, electrical cautery devices, and irrigation sources, controlled by switches on the fingers, and a surgical gown with conduit attachment systems, eliminating the need for external instruments and reducing entanglement by routing conduits along the arm and back.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple surgical support systems are integrated into conventional systems with separate cords and conduits, then the availability and accessibility of support systems is improved, but cord entanglement and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of support systemsVSAvoidcord entanglement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple surgical support systems (light sources, cautery devices, suction sources, irrigation sources) directly into the surgical glove, merging previously separate instruments and cords into a single unified wearable system. This eliminates the need for multiple separate cords and conduits that cause entanglement, while maintaining all necessary surgical support functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical glove is designed as a universal platform that can simultaneously accommodate and operate multiple different surgical support systems. The glove integrates lighting, cutting, suction, and irrigation capabilities into one device, allowing the surgeon to access diverse surgical functions without managing separate instruments and their associated cords.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If surgical support systems are positioned for easy access, then operational efficiency is improved, but accidental activation and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical procedure efficiencyVSAvoidaccidental activation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different surgical support systems are positioned at specific locations on the surgical glove corresponding to where they are most needed during surgery. For example, light sources are positioned on fingers for targeted illumination, while cautery and suction systems are placed to optimize their surgical function. This localized positioning improves efficiency while reducing accidental activation through precise spatial control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical glove itself acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the surgical support systems. The glove's structure and design mediate the interaction, allowing intentional activation through controlled gestures while preventing accidental activation through the glove's protective barrier and designed activation mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional instruments are used with external support systems, then surgical flexibility is maintained, but entanglement and time delays increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical instrument flexibilityVSAvoidtime delay from entanglement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple surgical instruments and their support systems into a single integrated glove unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate cords and conduits that cause entanglement and time delays, while maintaining surgical flexibility through the glove's adaptable design that can accommodate various surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If surgical support systems are made portable and integrated into gloves, then surgeon independence is improved, but system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgeon independenceVSAvoidglove integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical glove is designed as a universal base platform that can integrate multiple different surgical support systems. This universal design approach, while increasing manufacturing complexity, enables surgeon independence by providing all necessary surgical functions in one wearable device, eliminating the need for separate instruments and support systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10653493B2Surgical glove systems and method of using the same

Publication Date: 2020.05.19 SCHNEIDER ANDREW I

AI summary

A surgical system that includes a surgical glove configured to be removably attached to a human hand is disclosed. The surgical glove can include a first surgical instrument attached to the surgical glove, where the first surgical instrument is nonremoveably, integrally attached to the surgical glove during the formation of the surgical glove, and where the first surgical instrument is coupled to a finger of the surgical glove; a first switch attached to the surgical glove for controlling the first surgical support system; and a first actuating element attached to a thumb of the surgical glove. The first actuating element can be a discrete element. The first switch can be actuated when the first actuating element is placed in close proximity to the first switch, and a thumb of said surgical glove can be free of surgical support systems.