Background
Surgical sutures, clips, and staples remain the mainstay of bleeding control and prevention. Unfortunately, they are not always practical based on anatomic or technical reasons. This is particularly true in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) where bleeding dramatically decreases visualization of already small operative field. In response to this need, the field of intraoperative hemostatic adjuncts continues to increase and improve. Multiple agents on the market and under development provide a lattice to encourage hemostasis and/or activate the clotting cascade. Most of these agents are applied manually and held in place, typically under a gauze or sponge, thereby applying direct pressure on the bleeding structure. This practice poses several inefficiencies, including directionality,accuracy of placement, and maintenance of pressure over the bleeding tissue over time. Eventually, the release of the applied pressure often results in dislodgement of the hemostatic agent allowing the area to potentially re-bleed. Thus, there is a need for improved methods of delivering focal hemostatic agents intraoperatively, particularly during MIS.
Summary of the Invention
In an effort to improve the application of hemostatic agents with dexterity and simplicity as well as to be able to use them for a larger bleeding area, Dr. Robert Uzzo, Chairman of the Department of Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, has developed a novel hemostatic agent applicator called the “HematoDart”. This new applicator hematostatic filled dart plunger tips to contact a bleeding surface with applied manual pressure via a dart handle to the bleeding surface. The dart head can then be released and maintained in place, without or without pre-release suturing, thereby maintaining direct and prolonged contact pressure of the hemostatic agent to the bleeding surface to overcome the potential risk of re- bleeding from dislodgement of the agent(s). The hematodart handle can then reload another hemostatic tip for reuse. The invention is applicable to multiple hemostatic agents including those that require activation which can be bundled in the tip and activated just prior to use.
Patent Status: A patent application has been filed.
For Licensing/Partnering information, please contact:
Inna Khartchenko, M.S., MBA
Director, Technology Transfer and New Ventures
[email protected]