The problem
Ear and nose reconstruction is performed by reconstructive surgeons who use cartilage from the patient's own ribs and hand carves them, like a sculptor, to achieve the final ear/nose framework.
This process, done by hand, is prone to variability in results as well as errors. When you have a limited amount of rib cartilage to begin with, there is very little room for error. Results can be imperfect and even suboptimal, both functionally and cosmetically.
Moreover, this technique takes significant time in the operating room (increasing procedural cost) and requires highly specialized skills.
This process, done by hand, is prone to variability in results as well as errors. When you have a limited amount of rib cartilage to begin with, there is very little room for error. Results can be imperfect and even suboptimal, both functionally and cosmetically.
Moreover, this technique takes significant time in the operating room (increasing procedural cost) and requires highly specialized skills.
Our insights
1. Since the shapes forming the ear and nose are consistent across all patients, the carving process can be simplified and automated.
2. The inefficiency of hand-carving contributes significantly to operative costs. Speeding up this process increases value in all contexts.
3. A guarantee of perfect results, every time, ensures that patients receive functionally and cosmetically appealing results without fail.
4. The hand-carving step precludes other trained surgeons from performing this procedure in medically underserved regions of the world.
2. The inefficiency of hand-carving contributes significantly to operative costs. Speeding up this process increases value in all contexts.
3. A guarantee of perfect results, every time, ensures that patients receive functionally and cosmetically appealing results without fail.
4. The hand-carving step precludes other trained surgeons from performing this procedure in medically underserved regions of the world.
Our solution: AuryzoN
What existing technology reliably and quickly generates shapes, without fail, from a given material? Cookie cutters!
Simply put, AuryzoN is a cookie cutter designed for ear and nose reconstruction to be used by surgical professionals in the operating room. See the Image Gallery below for pictures of the AuryzoN device.
Process:
- Surgeon obtains rib cartilage from the patient.
- Cartilage is roughly cut to match the size of each component.
- The lateral cutting device (DimensioN) cuts the cartilage to a particular thickness.
- The thinned cartilage is placed on the base of the AuryzoN device with the appropriate cutting template placed into the frame. The surgeon manually presses the roof of the device against the base, cutting the cartilage in the process.
- Ear/nose components are assembled using suture and inserted into the skin fold.
Design features:
- Basic engineering and design features allows for mass production at low costs.
- Mass produced template blades are standardized to approximate sizes and proportions commonly found in adult and pediatric populations. Fine-tuning of cosmetic results is performed by the surgeon in how the skin and soft tissue wraps over the cartilage.
- Durable and robust design ensures prolonged use without mechanical failure, as well as a sterilizable frame.
- Single-use template blades ensures blade sharpness and sterility across patients.
Simply put, AuryzoN is a cookie cutter designed for ear and nose reconstruction to be used by surgical professionals in the operating room. See the Image Gallery below for pictures of the AuryzoN device.
Process:
- Surgeon obtains rib cartilage from the patient.
- Cartilage is roughly cut to match the size of each component.
- The lateral cutting device (DimensioN) cuts the cartilage to a particular thickness.
- The thinned cartilage is placed on the base of the AuryzoN device with the appropriate cutting template placed into the frame. The surgeon manually presses the roof of the device against the base, cutting the cartilage in the process.
- Ear/nose components are assembled using suture and inserted into the skin fold.
Design features:
- Basic engineering and design features allows for mass production at low costs.
- Mass produced template blades are standardized to approximate sizes and proportions commonly found in adult and pediatric populations. Fine-tuning of cosmetic results is performed by the surgeon in how the skin and soft tissue wraps over the cartilage.
- Durable and robust design ensures prolonged use without mechanical failure, as well as a sterilizable frame.
- Single-use template blades ensures blade sharpness and sterility across patients.
Why AuryzoN?
Besides the existing Nagata technique, there are few other options available in the market today.
3D-printed ears do exist but must be custom-ordered and can cost on the order of thousands of dollars per prosthetic. Additionally, CT scans are required to determine the necessary shape, which, in children, results in a heavy radiation dose.
AuryzoN is a unique product in its market space and guarantees high-quality results while being incredibly low cost to use in the operating room, making it significantly higher value than the current gold standard of therapy.
Ultimately, AuryzoN is the best opportunity to bring these life-changing procedures to patients in areas without access to reconstructive surgeons at much lower cost and by other specialist surgeons (e.g. General, ENT).
AuryzoN is patent pending.
3D-printed ears do exist but must be custom-ordered and can cost on the order of thousands of dollars per prosthetic. Additionally, CT scans are required to determine the necessary shape, which, in children, results in a heavy radiation dose.
AuryzoN is a unique product in its market space and guarantees high-quality results while being incredibly low cost to use in the operating room, making it significantly higher value than the current gold standard of therapy.
Ultimately, AuryzoN is the best opportunity to bring these life-changing procedures to patients in areas without access to reconstructive surgeons at much lower cost and by other specialist surgeons (e.g. General, ENT).
AuryzoN is patent pending.
Image gallery
AuryzoN and DimensioN (the thickness cutter) are currently in the alpha prototype stage. Pending further refinements and improvements of the current design, we will post images of the devices here. Stay tuned!
Assembled ear and nose cartilaginous frameworks, which will then be inserted into skin folds for complete reconstruction.