Exploration into advanced energy solutions for ENT procedures
Procedures in ENT (Ear, Nose, & Throat) have been performed largely with outdated and outmoded surgical systems and techniques. I was approached by the head of R&D for Medical Devices in Johnson & Johnson to evaluate every advanced energy system, patent, or pet project within Ethicon (J&J’s laparoscopic medical device division) to determine if there was any technology to change how ENT procedures could be performed. I combed through dozens of technologies and identified a suite of potential technologies. I partnered with some of the leading R&D minds, interviewed dozens of physicians, and evaluated the potential market impacts across a broad swath of ENT airway procedures. The result was a revolutionary use of harmonic technology to treat a multitude of conditions at a cost-competitive price point associated with lower tech solutions. In addition, the technology created the opportunity to do many of these procedures as outpatient procedures, which reduces patient risk, complications and cost. My work was selected for presentation to the board of directors and upper management at the annual J&J innovation conference. As a result, I was given a substantial budget to fund further development of this program. Priorities shifted and the program was paused. Recently, however, a renewed interest has revived the exploration of this work.
An extensive exploration into applications for harmonic-based technology in ENT airway procedures were explored and patented.
Multi-procedural, miniaturized titanium blade utilizing harmonic technology on a hand-activated platform. Blade design was developed around user-defined parameters. Testing in tissue labs, it performed amazingly well on turbinate reduction procedures with minimal tissue damaged compared to traditional methods.
Generator options, such as a low cost plug-n-play as well as established generator systems were evaluated.
I was selected to share my research and conclusions at the prestigious J&J innovation conference. Only a handful of programs developed by employees of J&J are selected for presentation to J&J leadership and the Board of Directors.
Multiple shaft configurations for a variety of ENT and skull based procedures were developed. The core technology was miniaturized and utilized a low cost stacked ceramic piezo harmonic drive on a low cost 3mm stamped titanium blade. This made advanced technology cost competitive with low-tech, low-cost tools being utilized for 30 years.
Click on images below to view expanded images of the ENT Harmonic blade.
