Design of an improved surgical instrument for the removal of bladder tumours

Abstract

The aim of this work was to design an add-on instrument that could potentially decrease the recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. The current surgical approach permits spilled tumour cells to disseminate within the bladder, re-implant and cause tumour recurrence. An add-on instrument has been designed in the form of an opening cone intended to provide space for surgery and yet reduce tumour cell spillage and dissemination. A prototype was manufactured using the shape memory metal Nitinol which was activated using an electrical current to facilitate opening and supplemented with latex to provide a sealed environment. The prototype was tested in comparable surgical conditions utilising porcine bladder wall and blue dye to simulate tumour cells. It was demonstrated that the vast majority of dye was retained within the device, supporting the proposed aim.