Surgical Sizing Instrument with Device Replica for Pocket Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical procedures for implanting medical devices, such as pacemakers and ophthalmic implants, lack precision in creating appropriately sized tissue pockets, leading to tissue damage, delayed recovery, and potential device malfunction due to variability in pocket size and placement.

Innovation Solution

Surgical sizing instruments featuring a replica of the medical device attached to an ergonomic handle, which aids in creating accurately sized pockets and marking anatomical landmarks, ensuring precise placement and anchoring of implants, particularly useful in delicate areas like the eye.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional surgical procedures are used without prior sizing, then the surgical process is simpler and faster, but tissue damage and device placement precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepocket sizing precisionVSAvoidsurgical instrument complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a replica of the actual medical device attached to a handle as a sizing instrument. This copy allows the surgeon to measure and mark the appropriate pocket size before actual implantation, achieving precise sizing without requiring complex adjustable instruments. The replica accurately replicates the dimensions and shape of the final implant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The sizing instrument enables preliminary measurement and marking of the tissue pocket before the actual implantation procedure. By performing the sizing action in advance, the surgeon can ensure proper pocket dimensions and device placement position, preventing tissue damage and ensuring device functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If surgeon skill alone is used for pocket creation, then the surgical procedure is faster, but tissue damage and device placement accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice placement precisionVSAvoidsurgical procedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sizing instrument acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon's intent and the actual implantation. It provides objective measurement and marking capabilities that supplement surgeon skill, ensuring precise device placement without significantly extending surgical time. The instrument translates the surgeon's planning into accurate physical markings on the tissue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If no marking tool is used, then the surgical procedure is simpler, but device positioning and anchoring accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice positioning precisionVSAvoidsurgical operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sizing function and marking function into a single integrated instrument. The replica device attached to the handle includes features for both measuring the appropriate pocket size and marking the tissue for precise device positioning and anchoring. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate tools while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11160631B2Instruments and methods for surgical sizing and marking
Publication Date: 2021.11.02 MINIPUMPS LLC
  • US11160631B2 patent drawing
  • US11160631B2 patent drawing
  • US11160631B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A surgical sizer for creating a tissue pocket for an implantable medical device may include a replica of the device and a (preferably ergonomic) handle portion, optionally with marking features that facilitate marking the tissue for precise implant placement and alignment.