Suture Tracking Dilator for Implant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing implanted microdevices from living tissue are inefficient, as they lack a reliable mechanism to accurately locate and extract these devices, particularly due to the difficulty in identifying and navigating through tissue to reach the implantation site.
Innovation Solution
A suture tracking dilator with a slit along its axial length is used, where a suture is attached to the microdevice before implantation, allowing the dilator to follow the suture through tissue to the device, facilitated by a trephine for cutting through encapsulating tissue, enabling straightforward removal by pulling on the suture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional dilators are used to remove implanted microdevices, then the dilator can penetrate tissue and provide a lumen for tool passage, but the operator cannot easily locate or accurately navigate to the implanted device
Solution Approach 1:
A suture is introduced as an intermediary element that connects the external operator to the implanted microdevice. The suture is attached to the device during implantation and extends outward, serving as a physical guide that allows the operator to locate and track the device position through tissue without requiring complex imaging or detection systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is attached to the microdevice during the implantation procedure itself, before removal is needed. This preliminary action ensures the guide is already in place and properly positioned, eliminating the need to locate or attach it during the removal procedure.
2Productivity
If a hollow dilator is used to provide a lumen for tool passage, then surgical tools can be passed through to reach the device, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the complex hollow lumen structure from the dilator design. Instead of using a hollow tube to guide tools, the suture itself serves as the guide, allowing the dilator to be a simple solid or hollow structure without requiring complex internal passages or multi-component assemblies.
3Ease of operation
If the dilator penetrates through living tissue to reach the implanted device, then the device can be accessed, but tissue damage occurs and the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The suture acts as a mediator that guides the dilator through tissue along a predetermined safe path. This allows the operator to follow the suture externally and internally through tissue without needing to visually navigate or make multiple penetrating attempts, minimizing unnecessary tissue disruption.
Data Source
AI summary
Suture tracking dilators and methods for removing implanted medical devices such as microstimulators or microsensors from living tissue are described. A suture tracking dilator has a slit running along its axial length. The slit can have a curved portion. A suture is attached to a medical device prior to its implantation. To remove the implanted medical device, the free end of the suture is exposed and inserted in the slit in the suture tracking dilator. The suture is held under tension at its free end, the dilator is inserted in the living tissue and the dilator follows the suture to the implanted medical device. The medical device is removed by pulling on the free end of the suture.