Press Release
INTRODUCTION
The author recently received the DST Lockheed Martin Award for the Easy-Position / Easy-Fix Stirrups at the India Innovation Growth Program. It is a simple device that adds great value and has the potential for replacing the standard stirrups in all the operating rooms.
THE PAIN, THE PROBLEM AND THE TREND
The trend in surgery is towards minimally invasive procedures [MIS]. According to the Transparency Medical Research the current market share of MIS of 10.5% is expected to double by 2019. Surgeries through natural orifices are the least invasive of minimally invasive surgeries and require accurate positioning of the patients during surgery and also change of the position during surgery. Unfortunately currently available standard stirrups do not offer this. The nearest alternative called the Yellowfin’s Stirrups have limited movement in one axis and since it is pneumatically operated, you need another person to stand behind the surgeon to change the position.
THE EASY POSITION / EASY FIX STIRRUPS
This has two ball and socket joints that offer unlimited movement and a unique single click locking mechanisms that locks both at the same time. Hence the surgeon who knows the positioning of the patient best can accurately position the patient before starting the surgery. When required the floor nurse can unlock the stirrups and the surgeon can alter the position by holding the lower limb through the sterile drapes. It is easy to lock the stirrups in place by the floor nurse.
- Easy to position
- Easy to fix
- Movement in all axes
- Simple innovation
- Great improvement in function
- 98% of surgeons who evaluated appreciated the benefits
THE UNIQUE FEATURES
Currently this is the only stirrups that offer such easy change in position of the patient to the surgeon. The single click lock mechanism is a unique design and the design of the attachment to the operation table again is unique. The design of the attachment allows the stirrups to be fixed to the railing of any type of operating table whether the new ones or the older ones.
THE CURRENT STATUS
The prototype has been in use for over a year in five hospitals and is used at the surgical camps of SEESHA. The feedback from all the doctors who have seen it is excellent. The only problem that was noted was that with very heavy patients at certain angles the locks were not sufficiently strong. This has been corrected in the second prototype.
What this translated in reality was that in rural and remote areas in Northeast India about 382 patients had their renal stones broken and removed using Ureterorenoscopy and lithoclast. The only other option that was available to them was painful open surgery at hospitals that are far away and many of them might not have had the surgery.
AVAILABILITY
The Easy-Position, Easy-Fix Stirrups are available from STAAN Bio-Medical Engineering Private Limited in Coimbatore. For purchase please contact Mr. Stanley at + 91 9363121030.
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Dr. J. Gnanaraj MS, MCh [Urology], FICS, FARSI, FIAGES is a urologist and laparoscopic surgeon trained at CMC Vellore. He has been appointed as a Professor in the Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering Department of Karunya University and is the Director of Medical Services of the charitable organization SEESHA. He has a special interest in rural surgery and has trained many surgeons in remote rural areas while working in the mission hospitals in rural India. He has helped 21 rural hospitals start minimally invasive surgeries. He has more than 150 publications in national and international journals, most of which are related to modifications necessary for rural surgical practice. He received the Barker Memorial award from the Tropical Doctor for the work regarding surgical camps in rural areas. He is also the recipient of the Innovations award of Emmanuel Hospital Association for health insurance programs in remote areas and the Antia Finseth innovation award for Single incision Gas less laparoscopic surgeries. During the past year, he has been training surgeons in innovative gas less single incision laparoscopic surgeries. |
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indicates a Peer-Reviewed Article
Lockheed Martin Award for Innovative Easy-Position/Easy-Fix Stirrups
INTRODUCTION
The author recently received the DST Lockheed Martin Award for the Easy-Position / Easy-Fix Stirrups at the India Innovation Growth Program. It is a simple device that adds great value and has the potential for replacing the standard stirrups in all the operating rooms.
THE PAIN, THE PROBLEM AND THE TREND
The trend in surgery is towards minimally invasive procedures [MIS]. According to the Transparency Medical Research the current market share of MIS of 10.5% is expected to double by 2019. Surgeries through natural orifices are the least invasive of minimally invasive surgeries and require accurate positioning of the patients during surgery and also change of the position during surgery. Unfortunately currently available standard stirrups do not offer this. The nearest alternative called the Yellowfin’s Stirrups have limited movement in one axis and since it is pneumatically operated, you need another person to stand behind the surgeon to change the position.
THE EASY POSITION / EASY FIX STIRRUPS
This has two ball and socket joints that offer unlimited movement and a unique single click locking mechanisms that locks both at the same time. Hence the surgeon who knows the positioning of the patient best can accurately position the patient before starting the surgery. When required the floor nurse can unlock the stirrups and the surgeon can alter the position by holding the lower limb through the sterile drapes. It is easy to lock the stirrups in place by the floor nurse.
THE UNIQUE FEATURES
Currently this is the only stirrups that offer such easy change in position of the patient to the surgeon. The single click lock mechanism is a unique design and the design of the attachment to the operation table again is unique. The design of the attachment allows the stirrups to be fixed to the railing of any type of operating table whether the new ones or the older ones.
THE CURRENT STATUS
The prototype has been in use for over a year in five hospitals and is used at the surgical camps of SEESHA. The feedback from all the doctors who have seen it is excellent. The only problem that was noted was that with very heavy patients at certain angles the locks were not sufficiently strong. This has been corrected in the second prototype.
What this translated in reality was that in rural and remote areas in Northeast India about 382 patients had their renal stones broken and removed using Ureterorenoscopy and lithoclast. The only other option that was available to them was painful open surgery at hospitals that are far away and many of them might not have had the surgery.
AVAILABILITY
The Easy-Position, Easy-Fix Stirrups are available from STAAN Bio-Medical Engineering Private Limited in Coimbatore. For purchase please contact Mr. Stanley at + 91 9363121030.