Adjustable Thyroplasty Implant with Inflatable Bladders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thyroplasty implants are difficult to adjust intraoperatively and postoperatively for optimal voice quality, often requiring additional surgeries due to limited adjustment control and displacement issues, especially with changes in patient anatomy over time.
Innovation Solution
A thyroplasty device with inflatable bladders attached to a thin platform, allowing for independent filling through injection ports for real-time adjustments during surgery and minimally invasive adjustments postoperatively using saline or other substances, facilitated by FDA-approved materials and radiopaque markings for precise guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional thyroplasty implants are used, then the implant structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot be adjusted after implantation requiring additional surgery for revisions
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates an inflatable bladder that can be dynamically adjusted in volume after implantation. The bladder is filled through an injection port with fluid (saline or other substances) to change the pressure applied to the vocal folds, allowing postoperative adjustment of voice quality without requiring additional surgery. This transforms a static implant into a dynamic, adjustable device.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant uses hydraulic principles by filling the inflatable bladder with fluid through an injection port. The fluid pressure within the bladder directly controls the force applied to the vocal folds, enabling precise adjustment of the implant's effect. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism allows for easy, minimally invasive adjustments postoperatively.
2Ease of operation
If traditional thyroplasty implants are used, then the implant is structurally simple, but fine adjustments to optimize voice quality are difficult requiring return to operating room
Solution Approach 1:
The implant enables self-adjustment capability through the injection port system. The patient or clinician can perform adjustments at the bedside or in an outpatient setting by simply injecting fluid into the bladder, eliminating the need to return to the operating room. This self-service feature dramatically reduces the time and resources required for adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms (screws, levers, or surgical modification tools) with a simple fluid injection system. Instead of requiring mechanical intervention or surgical procedures for adjustment, the system uses hydraulic pressure from injected fluid to achieve the desired effect, simplifying the adjustment process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Hoffman's adjustable displacement member is used, then some adjustment capability is provided, but the device requires flexible tubing and additional surgeries for future adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the problematic flexible tubing component from Hoffman's design. Instead of using external tubing that connects to a fluid reservoir, the patent integrates the injection port directly into the implant structure, allowing fluid to be injected directly into the bladder without requiring external tubing. This simplifies the device and eliminates the need for future surgical interventions related to tubing management.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection port serves as an intermediary structure that provides controlled access to the bladder interior. Rather than requiring open surgical access or complex tubing systems, the injection port allows minimally invasive fluid delivery directly to the bladder, simplifying both the initial implantation and subsequent adjustment procedures.
4Reliability
If traditional thyroplasty implants are used, then the implant is stable in structure, but displacement occurs over time requiring revision surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The implant incorporates a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the device to adapt to changing patient anatomy over time. The inflatable bladder can be adjusted in volume to accommodate tissue changes, weight changes, or anatomical shifts, maintaining optimal therapeutic effect throughout the long term. This dynamic capability prevents displacement and eliminates the need for revision surgery.
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
Enables easy and instantaneous adjustments during and after surgery without additional surgical procedures, maintaining optimal voice quality by allowing for fine tuning of pressure on vocal folds with minimal invasiveness and reduced need for revision surgeries.
Implementation Method 1
The bladders are shaped to fit the contour of the larynx and can be filled independently through injection ports mounted in the thyroplasty device. Each bladder contains an opening to permit the injection of saline or other substance into the bladder.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable thyroplasty implant comprising at least one inflatable bladder to apply pressure against the vocal folds to adjust vocal medialization easily in the operating room. The implant may contain at least one injection port corresponding with each bladder for injection of a substance into each bladder using a standard syringe. The implant allows for easy adjustment during initial thyroplasty surgery. Further, the implant permits easy adjustment of the implant after surgery by injection or withdraw of the substance within the bladder utilizing a syringe without the need for additional surgery. The implant may contain a means of detecting a means of detecting the injection port post-surgery using x-ray or fluoroscopic examination.