This project explores detecting and minimizing ureteral injury for a better patient outcome.
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Project Background
Iatrogenic ureteral injury (IUI) is the occurrence of ureteral damage during surgical procedures, which may lead to further complications if left untreated. While the incidence of ureteral injury is 0.2% to 7.6%, the rate of injury during colorectal and gynecological surgery continues to increase (Hird et al., 2021). Surgical repairs to ureteral injuries are extremely complicated and increase patient morbidity (Packiam et al., 2016). About 50 to 70% of IUIs are missed intraoperatively, which results in later complications that require additional surgery (Barberio et al., 2021). There is a need for immediate detection of ureteral injuries due to a lack of methods to prevent iatrogenic injuries that can lead to devastating complications.
Our Clients
Need Statement
Surgical injuries to the delicate blood supply of the ureter create a need to detect and minimize injury near the ureter during surgery, in order to improve surgical outcomes for patients.
Project Scope
The ureter is a duct that can be damaged easily during surgery due to its delicate blood supply. The aim of this project is to easily minimize and detect possible injury to the ureter during surgery to prevent further complications for patients. When most ureter injuries happen, the surgeon is unaware and later identification of this injury can cause urine to leak, resulting in inflammation and irritation. The client wants the solution to audibly alert surgeons when the surgical device is too close to the ureter and have the electrocautery turn off within this range. Additionally, the client would like injury to the ureter to be detected during surgery, and for the design to be simple because, otherwise, the solution cannot be reproduced nor will it be accepted by other surgeons. The project will be completed in April with drawings, software, and delivery of a prototype.