WO2018197935A1

WO2018197935A1 - Automated forceps expansion system

Info

Publication number: WO2018197935A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/056211
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kuldeep SAXENA KULDEEP
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-04-28
Filing date: 2017-10-09
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-28
Also published as: ES2689340A2; ES2689340R1

Abstract

Tools and methods of use for an automated forceps expansion system for graft implantation in the premade skin incision. The automated system for graft implantation, has a tubular body, with a forceps mounted on top of the tubular body. The forceps is operatively associated to a spring, controlling the movement of forceps arms. The spring is coupled to a plunger. The plunger is disposed axially within the tubular body. The plunger on the distal end of the tubular body is operatively associated with a tube. The tube is used to pass pneumatic pressure to the plunger. This pneumatic pressure is created by a compressor unit attached to the tube. The pneumatic pressure once created, releases air in the tube. The tube attached to plunger moves the plunger axially forward causing compression of the spring and thus a positive pneumatic pressure creation causes the forceps to open. When the pneumatic pressure is stopped, the spring causes, negative pneumatic pressure and starts decompressing, this results in the forceps to return to the original closed state.

Description

"Automated forceps expansion system" FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a tool used for therapeutic medical procedures and more particularly, relates to a tool used for implantation of hair grafts.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hair transplantation procedures are well-known, and typically involve (in a patient having male pattern baldness) harvesting donor hair grafts from the side and back fringe areas (donor areas) of the patient's scalp and implanting on balding areas (recipient area)

[0003] Hair restoration physicians performing follicle implantation rely heavily on their own experience and preferred implantation tools to carefully implant follicles.

[0004] Forceps are typically used to grasp and place the follicular unit grafts into the premade slits, although other instruments and methods are known for doing so.

[0005] Certain available instruments example automated implanters do not dilate the slits efficiently, and hence dense packing of grafts not possible with automated implanting systems. Also, manual use of forceps are having certain limitations.

(a) Limited strength of forceps to dilate premade skin slit.

(b) A user must control forceps with his/her hand. User may be friendly with maintaining pressure and gripping on the forceps to control forceps by using his/her dominant hand but face difficulty in gripping forceps in non-dominant hand. Constant pressure and continuous use of finger of non-dominant hand cause fatigue to the fingers.

[0006] Automated expansion of forceps is a novel invention which reduces the learning curve among beginners and at the same time provide an efficient gripping in nondominant hand. It also reduces the chances of fatigue in human hands and increases speed of this surgical procedure along with an increased level of precision. The process involving the said invention produces minimal graft trauma. [0007] Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in view of the accompanying figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The aim of present invention is to provide a novel implantation instrument system.

[0009]One embodiment of the present invention a system for graft implantation comprising: a tubular body; a forceps mounted at the proximal end of the tubular body; a spring disposed longitudinally within said tubular body and operatively associated with the forceps; a plunger disposed axially between the proximal and distal end of the tubular body and coupled to the spring;a tube at the distal end of the tubular body, coupled to a compressor with pneumatic valve unit, operatively associated with the plunger.

[00010] Embodiment of the invention also provides a system, to control pneumatic pressure input in the graft implantation system through the tube and compressor unit.

[00011] In one of the embodiment of the invention, the plunger is displaced axially on applying pneumatic pressure. This displacement is forward axial movement.

[00012] In one of the embodiment of the invention, when there is absence of pneumatic pressure, the spring is decompressed guiding backward axial movement of the plunger.

[00013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, forward displacement of the plunger changes the spring state such that the compression of the spring diverge or open the forceps arms.

[00014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, backward displacement of the plunger changes the spring state such that the decompression of the spring converge the forceps arms. The backward displacement of the plunger is resultant of the spring force acting on the plunger in absence of pneumatic force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00015] FIG. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the tool of the present invention.

[00016] FIG. 2 is another view with the forceps arms in open position on applying pneumatic pressure.

[00017] FIG. 3 represents the compressor unit with a rubber tube attached to one distal end. [00018] FIG. 4 is a view of the automated forceps with the arms in relaxed resting position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00019] In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that show by way of illustration some exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "distal," "proximal," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure(s) being described. Because components or embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[00020] The adjective "automated" with reference to a system or process as a whole means that some part or all of a particular system or step in the process involves an autonomous mechanism or function; i.e., that mechanism or function does not require manual actuation. Ultimately, one or more steps in the procedure may be automated, or autonomous, with some parts requiring manual input. This definition encompasses an automated system that requires only an operator to depress an ON switch or schedule the operation, and also a system in which hand held tools are used but some mechanism of the system functions autonomously, i.e., without human input, to perform a function. Some of the automated systems described herein may also be robotically-assisted or computer/software/machineinstruction controlled. The devices and methods of the present invention are useful in manual procedures and systems, as well as in automated procedures and system. The tools of the present invention could be used with the robotically-assisted systems and procedures. The adverb "automatically" when referring to use of a particular component of a system or a particular step in a process means that such step is accomplished autonomously, i.e., without real-time manual assistance. The terms "coupled," or "attached," or "connected," or "mounted" as used herein, may mean directly or indirectly coupled, attached, integrated, or mounted through one or more intervening components.

[00021] In one of the embodiment of the invention an automated system for graft implantation is provided. It comprises of a tubular body 203, refer figure 2. The tubular body acts as a housing chamber enclosing, holding different embodiments, mounting parts of the present invention.

[00022] An embodiment of the invention, is referred in figure 1. It refers to a two arm forceps 101 mounted on the tubular body. The said end of the tubular body holding the forceps 101 is known as the proximal end of the system. The forceps is coupled, connected to the spring 102. The spring 102 is placed or disposed in the present invention longitudinally. The operation or functionality of the spring affects the spring movement, wherein the compression of the spring leads to the forceps arms coming in an open or diverge position. And decompression of spring causes the forceps to converge or in a closed form.

[00023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tubular body houses a plunger 103. The plunger is disposed axially within the tubular body such that its placement is between the proximal or distal end of the tubular body. The plunger is coupled to the spring towards the proximal end of the tubular body.

[00024] In an embodiment of the present invention, at the other end of the tubular body, a tube structure 204 is present. This end is known as the distal end of the tubular body or of the system. The tube 204 is attached at the distal end of the tubular body and the other end of the tube 303 is connected to a compressor unit. In a further embodiment of the invention, the compressor unit is responsible for generating pneumatic pressure.

[00025] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, referring to figure 2; the compressor unit generates a pneumatic pressure force, when a pedal unit or switch is pressed by the user. This creates a pneumatic pressure as known by ordinary skill in the art, thus releasing air inside the tube 204. The air pressure thus glides the plunger 103, to move axially forward pneumatic valve and pressure regulator regulates the exact amount of pressure.

[00026] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, since the plunger is coupled, attached to the spring, plunger's forward axial movement causes the spring to compress. The compression spring thus results in to opening or diverging the forceps arm. That is the forceps arm are spaced apart refer to figure 2, 201.

[00027] When the compressor generated the pneumatic pressure and releases air in the tube to move the plunger forward towards the proximal end of the tubular body it is known as the positive pneumatic pressure.

[00028] When the compressor stops creating, generating the pneumatic pressure, the spring changes its state and starts decompressing. The decompression of the spring results into converging the forceps arm and resulting in closure of the forceps arm, refer figure 4 view of the system of the present invention. The decompression of the spring also, pushes the plunger backward thus, guiding backward axial movement of the plunger. This effect is known as negative pneumatic pressure. The closed state or position of forceps arms is the original state or position and is achieved with zero error using the disclosed mechanism.

[00029] In the present invention, the following steps are repeated as operating steps of the discussed automated system:

• User hold the device in his/her non dominant hand.

• Than the user position the terminal end of the forceps in to the premade skin incision. • Pressing the pedal switch releases the air inside rubber tube thus creates positive pneumatic pressure.

• Positive pneumatic pressure pushes the plunger thus creating forward axial movement of plunger and forceps.

• Forward movement of forceps releases forceps tightly hold arms thus produces expansion at its proximal end.

• When we release the pedal switch pressure releases thus allow forceps to retain its resting position because of backward movement of spring pushes plunger in back ward direction.

[00030] The embodiment of the present invention can also be understood as following steps:

• An especially designed forceps fit inside a tube with plunger. Distal end of the tube connected with another small size rubber tube which finally connected to compressor.

• Positive pneumatic pressure created through compressor travel through the rubber tube attachedto the distal end of the device which pushed the plunger.

• Forward movement of plunger further pushes forceps to move forward and expand its two arms.

• It also pushes spring forward.

• When we release pneumatic pressure backward spring action pushes back plunger thus allow forceps to retain its resting or close position.

[00031] Referring again to FIG. 1 and 2, in a particular embodiment, the length of forceps 101 is approximately 3.5 cms. The length of the tubular body is 203, is approximately 10.5 cms. The opening of forceps arm 201, is 2.5 to 4 mm apart. However, in yet other embodiments, main tubular body 203 may be of any dimensions, wider, narrower, thinner, thicker, or shorter.

[00032] In an embodiment of the present invention, the end plate 205, is the plate forming the base and holds the forceps coupled to the spring. [00033] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plunger 103 may comprise, for example, a device wherein a mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic or electromotive force acts upon plunger 103 in order to cause forward axial movement.

[00034] Certain features of claimed subject matter have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such embodiments and changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject matter.

[00035] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

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Claims

We Claim:

1. An automated system for graft implantation comprising, a tubular body; a forceps mounted at the proximal end of the tubular body; a spring disposed longitudinally within said tubular body and operatively associated with the forceps; a plunger disposed axially between the proximal and distal end of the tubular body and coupled to the spring; a tube at the distal end of the tubular body, coupled to a compressor unit, operatively associated with the plunger.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the plunger is displaced axially within the tubular body and is controllable in response to a force acting on the plunger.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said displacement of said plunger along said axis changes the spring state, such that the compression of the spring diverge the forceps arms.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said displacement of said plunger along said axis changes the spring state, such that the decompression of the spring converge the forceps arms.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said displacement of said plunger along said axis is controllable in response to a pneumatic force acting on said plunger.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tube coupled to the compressor unit

provides pneumatic force on the plunger, such that said displacement of the plunger is controlled.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the compressor unit generates said pneumatic pressure, such that the tube provides positive pneumatic pressure guiding forward axial movement of the plunger, further in said forward axial movement of the plunger produces compression of the spring resulting in the expansion of forceps arms.

The system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the compressor unit stops generating pneumatic pressure, allows decompression of spring thus guiding backward axial movement of the plunger resulting in closure of the forceps arm.