Abstract

This semester our team designed a device for laparoscopic banding that would be less traumatic and more reliable than current devices used by surgeons. We constructed an enlarged prototype to test this design, and realized that some aspects were not feasible. The design and prototype were altered to reflect these revisions.

Background

Tubal ligation is a permanent form of birth control in women

“Tubes Tied” Eggs are prevented from reaching

the uterus Laparoscopic surgery Procedure reversible, but difficult One million performed a year

Current Products

Procedures vary Pomeroy, banding, clipping

Banding is good option because Non-electrical Easier to reverse

Product used is currently from ACMI

Falope Ring Band Tears Tube Fails to release rubber bands

properly

Tube is drawn inside of device with pinchers

Rubber band is then pushed off the end and the tube is released

Problem Statement

Our client asked us to design a laparoscopic banding device for tubal sterilization that is less cumbersome, traumatic, and inaccurate than the device he currently uses.

Design Criteria

Single use Sterile and inert Accurate with a failure rate less

than 20% (Dr. Julian, 2007) Less than $400 per device

Initial Design

Create small suction to gently secure fallopian tube

Extend fingers with band stretched

Collapse fingers to release band around fallopian tube

Limitations of Initial Design

Fingers collapsing around tube could cause harm to fallopian tube

Band fails to release when fingers collapse

No feedback when bands are released

Device could be difficult to scale to desired size

Final Design

Suction mechanism remains unchanged Fingers push bands from inner tube Grooves along inner tube keep fingers

aligned properly Notches within grooves provide feedback

when first band is released Bands release more reliably than with

previous design

Future Work

Decide final materials Begin constructing smaller

prototype Test reliability

Band release Suction mechanism

FDA approval

Conclusion

This design has promise to be less traumatic, more reliable, and easier to use than the current devices on the market. In the following semesters, modifications will be made and the device will be scaled down for successful use by surgeons.

References

http://www.acmicorp.com/acmi/user/display.cfm

http://ccli.org/nfp/contraception/tubal.php

www.tubal-reversal.net www.youtube.com