WO2025208182A1

WO2025208182A1 - Nipple areola marker cum cutter device

Info

Publication number: WO2025208182A1
Application number: PCT/AU2025/050325
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dilip GAHANKARI
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-04-06
Filing date: 2025-04-03
Publication date: 2025-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-06

Abstract

A nipple areola marker cum cutter surgical device adapted for use during breast surgery to accurately mark and/or facilitate the incision (making the surgical cut) for the appropriate dimension, and size of the of new areola measurement during breast surgery, such as breast reduction, breast lift etc. The device is provisioned for ease of manoeuvring and settling on subjects for surgery with provision for handle and means for securing as cooperative connects during the surgical process with desired stability and operative convenience.

Description

Title: NI PPLE AREOLA MARKER CUM CUTTER DEVI CE

Fl ELD OF THE I NVENTI ON

The invention relates to implements for surgical procedures and, more specifically, the invention relates to advancements in device to mark the dimension, size and shape of areola during certain breast surgical procedures such as breast reduction, breast lift etc. The advanced device of the invention relates to a nipple areola marker cum cutter surgical device, that can be used to accurately mark and facilitate the incision (making the surgical cut) for the appropriate dimension, and size of the of new areola measurement during breast surgery, such as breast reduction, breast lift etc.

BACKGROUND ART

Breast surgical procedures such as breast reduction, lift have been performed for more than a century. I n many of these procedures, a circular cut or incision is needed around the Nipple Areola Complex (hitherto referred to as NAC) . This circular incision is individualised to patient’s breast and NAC and is also influenced by patient’s choices, patient’s breast anatomy, previous scars on patient’s breast, nature of surgical procedure, size of the whole breast and ethnicity of patient, to name a few variables.

Currently there are several devices that are used to make this surgical incision. Some surgeons may use a freehand drawing to draw a circle - which may not be accurate.

Several examples of prior art used as Nipple areola Markers during breast surgery. These have been in use for decades. The limitation of these devices is that it takes one step to mark the rim with surgical ink to make the impression and then separete step to cut along these marked circular line or impression.

Current devices are basically ‘rings or cylinders’ made from either plastic (single use or reusable) or metal (sterilizable and reusable) . As mentioned previously - they can only draw the impression of circle or mark the circle - if the rings are pre-coated with ink or any other dye. The knife is then drawn by the surgeon to cut along the circle (Reference accompanying Prior Art Figures 1 to 3) .

OBJECTS OF TH E I NVENTI ON

It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a nipple areola marker cum cutter device whereby it would facilitate the surgical procedure by enable involving a single device to both mark the nipple areola and also thereafter involving the same carry out the cutting along the evenly marked nipple areola.

Another object of the present invention is to avoid the complicated procedure of involving inking of devices for generating impressions for the nipple areola and thereafter following a separate procedure carry out the cutting of the marked nipple areola region.

Yet another object of the present invention is directed to facilitate the surgical procedures such that the device apart from enabling the step of marking and cutting would also have provision for effective positioning and holding of the device which is an added advantage for effectively carrying out the surgical process with due precision and control.

Another object of the present invention is directed to advancement by way of a nipple areola marker cum cutter device which would be m ulti-functional and versatile in application.

A further object of the present invention is directed to advancement by way of a nipple areola marker cum cutter device which would have the flexibility for choice of chosen diameter in specific patient for marking areola diameter.

Yet another object of the present invention is directed to advancement by way of a nipple areola marker cum cutter device which would require only securing the same as a temporary attachment during marking of female areola and also would be advantageous by way providing for the marking only prior to making the incision with a surgical marking pen through a circular slit or even making the incision directly without prior marking. A further object of the present invention is directed to advancement by way of a nipple areola marker cum cutter device which would also include features apart from providing for marking and making incision based thereon the provision for convenience in accom modating the nipple projection which may vary in female breasts.

SUM MARY OF TH E I NVENTI ON

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided for a nipple areola marker cum cutter device comprising: a base plate for placing on breast mounds of subjects having a central opening defining a central nipple access and at least one circular slit formed therethrough co-axial to said central opening with supporting interrupt bridge connect, said circular slits defining access regions for marking therethough said slit of defined even circle and/or cut along said circular slit on subjects; a cooperative handle centrally and co-axially disposed with respect to the base plate top maintaining free access to said nipple access opening of said base plate ; said handle means enabling stable holding of the base plate with respect to the breast mound of the subject during use of said device.

According to an aspect the nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above comprises a circular base plate having a central opening for nipple access with plurality of said circular spaced apart slots defining varying slit diameter based even circle and/or cut along regions along said respective circular slits , said handle means centrally and co-axially disposed on top of said base plate central opening and having leg connects at its lower end along and adjacent the circular base plate opening of the base plate.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided for a nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above wherein said base plate has spaced apart holes for passage of hypoderm ic needles or suture needles to temporarily hold the device in place for making and cutting procedures. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above wherein said handle means top is circular section of smaller dimensions enabling male nipple marking.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above comprising plurality of varying diameter circular slits interrupted with 2-3 mm bridges, said circular slits of various diameters varying from 2.5 cm to 4.8 cm and the size of each said slit is from 1 -2 mm .

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided for a nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above which is obtained of single use transparent plastics or resusable and sterilizable materials including aluminium , stainless steel or other natural or synthetic materials.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided for a nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above wherein the handle piece is also provided with central opening for access to nipple projections.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a nipple areola marker cum cutter device as above 7 wherein the circular upper end of the handle means is of smaller diameter with respect to the base plate diameter and between 2 to 3 cm for favouring use for marking, drawings or incision making in males.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON OF THE I NVENTI ON I N RELATI ON TO THE ACCOMPANY! NG NON-LI MI TI NG EXEMPLARY EMBODI MENTS:

The invention is discussed hereunder in greater detail in relation to the nonlimiting accompanying exemplary embodiments of the device wherein:

Figure 1 : is an illustration of an existing prior art marker device;

Figure 2: is another embodiment of an existing prior art marker device;

Figure 3: is yet another embodiment of a prior art marker device in the related filed of surgical procedures; Figure 4: is a bottom view of the advanced nipple areola marker cum cutter device of the present invention ; and

Figure 5: is a side view of the advanced nipple areola marker cum cutter device of the present invention.

Reference is drawn to the illustration of an embodiment of the prevailing state of the art marker device as per Figure 1 . I n such a prevailing art, the rim of the device (arrow marked) is painted with surgical ink and a circle of desired size is drawn on breast to define the size of nipple and areola. Thereafter effecting the marking, the knife is used to cut around the drawn circle. Such known devices usually include versions wherein the two sides of the device may represent two different diameter measurements for two different marking regions.

Reference is next invited to accompanying Figure 2 which also illustrates another embodiment of a prior art device wherein the rim (R) of the device (arrow marked) is painted with surgical ink and a circle of desired size is drawn on breast to define the size of nipple and areola. Knife is then used to cut around the drawn circle. Often two sides of the device may represent two different diameter measurements.

Yet another representative device of the presently available marker devices is shown in accompanying Figure 3. According to such a prior art device as illustrated, two rims (R) (arrow marked) are on one face of the device and the chosen diameter rim of the device is painted with surgical ink and a circle of desired size is drawn on breast to define the size of nipple and areola. Knife is then used to cut around the drawn circle. Often two sides of the device represent two different diameter measurements.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 4 which illustrates the advanced nipple areola marker cum cutter device in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 depicts the bottom view or base plate view, which has a circular base. The base attaches to the handle as seen in the side view. The attachment would be part of the whole mould in steel or other synthetic material such as plastics or be attached separately with fixation methods such as screws, bolts, rivets or glue.

The base plate features in this device include illustrative 2 or more circular slits (only interrupted by tiny material bridge (1 ) of 2-3 mm width) in slits of various diameters respectively. These slits (2,3 and 4) are used for marking circles with marking pen as surgeons may prefer before cutting through skin, or for direct cutting with a surgical blade without the need for prior ink drawing. The base plate also has several tiny holes(1 ) which can be used to secure the base plate to the breast with hypodermic small needles (typically 25 G to 21 G) to avoid sudden slippage of the device on the skin of breast. Base plate attaches firm ly to a handle for convenience of holding. The other end of the handle also has a circular margin for drawing a smaller circle as used for male breast procedures. This end provides the circular edge - to make impression with ink or pressure alone. The device is likely to be used m uch less com monly in males.

As clearly illustrated in said figure 4 the nipple areola marker cum cutter device of the invention includes a base plate (6) having a central opening /passage (5) for hiatus for the nipple. The base plate radial outwardly extending portion having plurality of variable diameter concentric circular slits (2,3,4) . Also illustrated in Figure 4 are plurality of spaced holes (1 ) to pass the needle to secure base plate if needed. The circular slits can be of varying slit dimensions such as 38 m m circular slit, 40 mm circular slit and 42 m m circular slit.

Reference is now invited further to accompanying Figure 5 which illustrates a side view of the device which further illustrate the base plate (3) , a central concentrically disposed stand/handle (2) and wherein the top of the handle/stand (1 ) is circular and can be provided with Male nipple marker - approx. 2.5 cm diameter. To be used by applying surgical ink to make the circular impression as in cases of prior art.

Breast surgical procedures such as breast reduction, mastopexy or breast lift are common procedures performed by Plastic and Cosmetic surgeons, breast surgeons and some General surgeons. During some of these procedures the Nipple Areola complex is moved from lower to upper position on the breasts mounds, often in continuity with some of the breast tissue.

As would be apparent from the nipple areola marker cum cutter device of the advancement illustrated in relation to accompanying Figures 4 and 5 discussed above, the construction of the device of the invention make it possble to draw and cut (make the circular incision) at the same time - maintaining precision and appropriate skin tension.

For this device is used to mark the circle with known diameter to make an even circle with a pen and /or a knife is then used to cut along the circle involving the device circular slits. This enables a single step use of the device during the surgical procedures to mark and/or cut the region of required purposes of the surgery. This was not possible in the currently prevailing prior art marker units as per figures 1 to 3 discussed above where the process takes at least 2 steps. One, to mark a circle either from the impression of the device or coating the circular edge of the marker device with ink for making a circular impression on the skin. The second step is then to cut along this line. Also sometimes multiple devices are needed with different dimensions for different patients.

The advanced device helps solve the problem of repetitive steps and provides a method to draw the circles of various diameters with the marking pen (such as 38 m m , 40 mm , 42 mm , 44 m m or smaller or larger) through the device itself - without the need for coating with ink first. It also allows direct cutting of the circle without the need for prior drawing with the knife.

The advanced nipple areola marker cum cutter device as mentioned allows the device to be secured to skin and breast tissue with needs, for better hold. It allows for either drawing the circle with the pen through the slits of desired size or directly use the knife to cut along the slit of desired dimension. The device can be made in metal such as steel for re-sterilization or in plastic for one time use - being disposable) . It is designed to improve efficiency, precision, and consistency of markings and incisions for these common surgical procedures. Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a system for accurately planning, designing, and executing a perfectly circular incision around the nipple areola complex on female breast. I n this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited in its application to the details of said construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as in the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

I n one embodiment, the ‘base-plate’ depicts several important features of the invention. It has m ultiple circular slits - interrupted with 2-3 mm bridges. These circular slits are of various diameters which can vary from 2.5 cm to 4.8 cm and are not limiting to these measurements. The number of slits can vary between one and five or more and not limiting. The base plate has holes varying in number from 2 to 6 for allowing passing of hypoderm ic needles or suture needles to temporarily hold the device in place until the drawing of circle and or incision for NAC is performed. The size of each slit is 1 -2 mm - but could be made narrower or wider. The base plate and the whole device could be made of single use material such as plastics or reusable and sterilizable materials such as aluminium , stainless steel or other natural or synthetic materials. The whole device could be single use or reusable. The base plate could be made from transparent plastics. The base plate allows central hiatus to accom modate the projection of nipple.

I n another embodiment, the handle piece or the stand connects the narrowed circular end to the base plate. The length of the ‘handle piece’ can vary from few m m to few cm and is not limiting. The handle piece could be solid, perforated, or made from rods or plates, and from single use plastics or reusable plastics or metals. The handle piece also has a central hiatus to accommodate the nipple projection. I n another embodiment, there is a circular upper end of the handle piece, which could be a thin margin or the material or even another circular flat plate with a single smaller circular slit with a diameter between 2 and 3 cm . This end can be used for marking, drawing, or making incisions in males. Line previous embodiments - this end can made in single use materials like plastics or reusable materials like certain plastics, metals or other materials.

The above disclosed nipple areola marker cum cutter device of the present advanced is thus directed to address practical difficulties with prior arts devices. I n such prior art devices, the process involves at least 2 stages - one to carefully paint the chosen rim of the device with surgical ink - which may or may not coat the device accurately. There are no obvious fixation points and therefore occasionally the devices may slip over the skin. The diameter of the circle depends of the skin stretch which can be variable when the circle is drawn and when the incision is made.

The present advanced nipple areola marker cum cutter device on the other hand as discussed above is multi-functional and versatile in application and user friendly by way of: a. It provides choice of chosen diameter in specific patient for marking areola diameter. b. It provides secure temporary attachment of the device during marking of female areola c. It provides the advantage of marking only prior to making the incision with a surgical marking pain through the circular slit or making the incision directly without prior marking. d. It provides hiatus to accom modate the nipple projection which may vary in female breasts. e. The only small drawback we perceive is to complete the incisions in the area of 2-3 mm bridges.

It is thus possible by way of the present invention to provide the required advancements in device to mark the dimension, size and shape of areola during certain breast surgical procedures such as breast reduction, breast lift etc. by way of a nipple aerola marker cum cutter surgical device, that can be used to not only accurately mark but also facilitate the incision (making the surgical cut) involving the same device for the appropriate dimension, and size of the of new areola measurement during breast surgery, such as breast reduction, breast lift etc.

Claims

CLAI M :

1 . Nipple areola marker cum cutter device comprising: a base plate (f 3 ) for placing on breast mounds of subjects having a central opening (5) defining a central nipple access and at least one circular slit (2,3,4) formed therethrough co-axial to said central opening with supporting interrupt bridge connect, said circular slits (2,3,4) defining access regions for marking therethough said slit of defined even circle and/or cut along said circular slit on subjects ; a cooperative handle (2) centrally and co-axially disposed with respect to the base plate(6/3) top maintaining free access to said nipple access opening of said base plate; said handle means (2) enabling stable holding of the base plate (6/3) with respect to the breast mound of the subject during use of said device.

2. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a circular base plate (6/3) having a central opening for nipple access with plurality of said circular spaced apart slots (2,3,4) defining varying slit diameter based even circle and/or cut along regions along said respective circular slits , said handle means (2) centrally and co-axially disposed on top of said base plate (6/3) central opening and having leg connects at its lower end along and adjacent the circular base plate opening of the base plate.

3. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said base plate (6/3) has spaced apart holes (1 ) for passage of hypoderm ic needles or suture needles to temporarily hold the device in place for making and cutting procedures.

4. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said handle means (2) top is circular section of smaller dimensions enabling male nipple marking.

5. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 comprising plurality of varying diameter circular slits (2,3,4) interrupted with 2-3 m m bridges, said circular slits of various diameters varying from 2.5 cm to 4.8 cm and the size of each said slit is from 1 -2 mm .

6. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 which is obtained of single use transparent plastics or resusable and sterilizable materials including alum inum , stainless steel or other natural or synthetic materials.

7. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 wherein the handle piece (2) is also provided with central opening for access to nipple.

8. The nipple areola marker cum cutter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 7 wherein the circular upper end of the handle means (2) is of smaller diameter with respect to the base plate diameter and between 2 to 3 cm for favouring use for marking, drawings or incision making in males.