DMD2010-3849 DESIGN OF AN ENDOSCOPE LENS SHIELDING DEVICE FOR USE IN LAPAROSCOPIC PROCEDURES

ABSTRACT In recent years, laparoscopic surgical procedures have revolutionized many gynecological and abdominal procedures, leading to dramatic reductions in recovery time and scarring for the patient. While techniques and instruments for performing laparoscopic surgery have improved over the years, loss of vision through the endoscopic lens caused by fog, liquid, and solid debris common to laparoscopic procedures remains a significant problem. In this paper, a shielding mechanism that maintains visibility through the laparoscope by removing debris from the distal end of the lens is presented. This device provides an inexpensive and convenient alternative to the current practice of removing, cleaning, and re-inserting the laparoscope during surgical procedures. This device is shown in multiple trials to repeatably remove debris from the distal tip of the lens, thereby restoring vision for the surgeon without requiring removal or reinsertion of the endoscope. INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic surgery provides a minimally invasive alternative to often-risky open procedures. Increasingly popular in recent years, laparoscopic surgery is currently used in many medical specialties, including urology, gynecology, and gastroenterolog

Classroom to Clinic: Merging Education and Research to Efficiently Prototype Medical Devices

Innovation in patient care requires both clinical and technical skills, and this paper presents the methods and outcomes of a nine-year, clinical-academic collaboration to develop and evaluate new medical device technologies, while teaching mechanical engineering. Together, over the course of a single semester, seniors, graduate students, and clinicians conceive, design, build, and test proof-of-concept prototypes. Projects initiated in the course have generated intellectual property and peer-reviewed publications, stimulated further research, furthered student and clinician careers, and resulted in technology licenses and start-up ventures

Laparoscopic Simulation Device for Testing and Training

Laparoscopy, a form of minimally invasive surgery focusing on the abdominal area, has become a common choice for surgeons due to its benefits of decreased recovery time and post-operative pain, which results in much lower costs for the patients. Currently, testing new tools in a surgical-like setting requires an animal cadaver, which can be both expensive and difficult to store, or an expensive device. This paper describes the development of a bench-top laparoscopy simulator that mechanically simulates access ports using outer ‘tissue’ samples for port insertion and an inner cavity region where ex-vivo organs can be placed and operated on using laparoscopic tools

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND TRAINING Classroom to Clinic: Merging Education and Research to Efficiently Prototype Medical Devices

ABSTRACT Innovation in patient care requires both clinical and technical skills, and this paper presents the methods and outcomes of a nine-year, clinical-academic collaboration to develop and evaluate new medical device technologies, while teaching mechanical engineering. Together, over the course of a single semester, seniors, graduate students, and clinicians conceive, design, build, and test proof-of-concept prototypes. Projects initiated in the course have generated intellectual property and peer-reviewed publications, stimulated further research, furthered student and clinician careers, and resulted in technology licenses and start-up ventures. INDEX TERMS Biomedical engineering education, medical devices, mechanical design, mechatronics

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND TRAINING Classroom to Clinic: Merging Education and Research to Efficiently Prototype Medical Devices

ABSTRACT Innovation in patient care requires both clinical and technical skills, and this paper presents the methods and outcomes of a nine-year, clinical-academic collaboration to develop and evaluate new medical device technologies, while teaching mechanical engineering. Together, over the course of a single semester, seniors, graduate students, and clinicians conceive, design, build, and test proof-of-concept prototypes. Projects initiated in the course have generated intellectual property and peer-reviewed publications, stimulated further research, furthered student and clinician careers, and resulted in technology licenses and start-up ventures. INDEX TERMS Biomedical engineering education, medical devices, mechanical design, mechatronics