System and method for increased operating room efficiency
Inventors
Gorek, Josef E. • Trauner, Kenneth B. • Rimer, Douglas G.
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11633181-B2
Publication Date
2023-04-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems, devices and methods to improve safety and efficiency in an operating room comprise providing a suture package that holds new suture needles and needle receptacles for storing used needles. The devices can be safely worn for the surgeon to self-dispense new suture needles in the near surgical field and to secure the used needles into a needle trap or a needle retainer located on his extremity, on his operative instruments or on the surgical drapes. The device may provide automated and/or simplified needle counting both during use and after removal from the surgical field. The device may be configured for ergonomic and efficient use so as to minimize the actions and motions of the surgeon to dispense and secure the needle.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an operating room efficiency and safety system that enables a surgeon to self-dispense new armed suture needles from a near-field suture package mounted on a surgeon’s forearm, wrist, or hand, or on surgical instruments or drapes. The system also enables the surgeon to self-secure used needles into a nearby needle trap, needle receptacle, or sharps container located within the near surgical field. This arrangement reduces needle passes between the surgeon and an assistant while maintaining micro-ergonomics and the surgeon’s visual focus near the surgical site.
A needle trap and used needle retention concept includes a structured needle trap having an entry zone, a transition zone, and a secure zone. The structure aligns needles using slot geometry and compressive members, including V-shaped or concave boundaries and compressive members such as urethane foam strips intended to reduce needle-stick risk.
The document also describes needle counting and tracking capabilities including visual counting, mechanical counters, optical/camera/pressure sensors, electrical resistance counting with an ammeter display, remote monitoring and display, wireless tracking and counting reconciliation, tracking markings, RFID tags, and an RF transmitter/receiver. It further describes integrated suture packet and needle receptacle cartridge concepts and modular platforms for mounting near-field suture packages and used needle retention/counting components.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim coverage centers on one inventive apparatus with a needle storage housing, a needle slot, a secure zone, and a needle driver slot that advances the needle into the secure zone. Dependent claims add structural refinements, viewing features, and needle retention features.
Needle storage housing with needle slot and secure zone
A housing comprising an upper structure and a lower structure, a needle slot within the housing located between the upper structure and the lower structure and configured to receive the needle into the housing, and a secure zone within the housing located between the upper structure and the lower structure and configured to store the needle therein.
Needle driver slot advancing needle into secure zone
A needle driver slot extending a distance along the housing to the needle slot and the secure zone, configured to receive a needle driver therethrough as the needle driver advances the needle along the needle slot and into the secure zone.
Needle driver slot intersects needle slot
The apparatus where the needle driver slot intersects the needle slot.
Transparent or translucent upper structure for viewing needles
The apparatus includes a housing whose upper structure is made from transparent or translucent material so that multiple suture needles can be viewed in the secure zone.
Needle retention features for holding multiple needles
The apparatus includes needle retention features formed from one or more of foam, gel, loop and hook fasteners, protrusions, flaps, or bristles.
Overall, the claims focus on a needle-storage housing that receives a needle in a needle slot, stores it in a secure zone, and uses a needle driver slot to guide advancement into the secure zone, with refinements for slot intersection, visibility through a transparent or translucent upper structure, and specific needle retention features.
Stated Advantages
Reduces needle passes between the surgeon and an assistant.
Maintains micro-ergonomics and the surgeon’s visual focus.
Permits easy visual, electronic, mechanical, optical, and remote counting and reconciliation of used needles.
Documented Applications
Operating room use enabling a surgeon to self-dispense new armed suture needles and self-secure used needles into a nearby needle trap, needle receptacle, or sharps container within the near surgical field.
Interested in licensing this patent?