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.

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