Surgical Specimen Mapping Mechanism Using Color-Coded Titanium Clips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical specimen margin orientation marking techniques are prone to inaccuracies and errors due to the lack of in-vivo marking, leading to potential miscommunication between surgeons and pathologists, especially when the reference suture is removed or the specimen orientation is altered during handling.
Innovation Solution
A surgical specimen margin orientation marking mechanism using color-coded titanium ligature clips or needles with sutures that provide a mapping between the tumor mass and surrounding tissue, ensuring precise identification and communication of excision sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ink marking and reference suture techniques are used, then the marking process is simple, but the accuracy and reliability of specimen margin orientation are compromised due to potential suture removal or orientation changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a mapping relationship between markers placed on the tumor mass and corresponding markers on the surrounding tissue. This copying approach establishes reference points in both locations that maintain their spatial relationship, allowing the pathologist to accurately identify excision margins by comparing the marker positions without relying on a single reference suture that may be removed or displaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces colored markers as intermediary elements that bridge the communication gap between the surgeon's excision site and the pathologist's analysis. These markers serve as visual mediators that maintain orientation information throughout the specimen handling process, enabling accurate communication of margin locations without direct physical reference between surgeon and pathologist.
2Measurement precision
If multiple color-coded markers are used to provide mapping between tumor mass and surrounding tissue, then the orientation accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the marking system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different colors to markers at specific locations on the tumor mass and corresponding locations on the surrounding tissue. This local differentiation allows the pathologist to quickly identify corresponding reference points and understand the spatial orientation of excision margins without requiring complex overall system design. Each marker's color provides localized orientation information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the marking system into multiple independent colored marker pairs, with each pair providing specific orientation information for a particular margin location. This segmentation allows the complex task of margin identification to be broken down into simpler, color-coded reference points that can be independently identified and interpreted.
3Reliability
If color-coded titanium ligature clips or needles with sutures are used, then the reliability of excision site identification is enhanced, but the ease of manufacture and application increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs titanium ligature clips and needles with sutures as multi-functional elements that serve both as surgical tools for tissue manipulation and as marking devices for orientation identification. These universal tools can be applied during the surgical procedure itself, eliminating the need for separate marking devices and simplifying the overall manufacturing and application process while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a marking system is disclosed. The marking system includes a specimen marker to be inserted within mass tissue and a first set of specimen markers be inserted within the mass tissue to provide a mapping for removing the mass tissue.