Adjustable Surgical Access Device with Telescoping Tubes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional surgical access devices require a large inventory of varying lengths to accommodate different surgical depths, leading to inefficiencies in procedure execution and increased costs due to the need for multiple devices and frequent changes during surgery.
Innovation Solution
The development of adjustable-length surgical access devices that can be modified in situ to accommodate varying surgical depths, featuring mechanisms such as telescoping tubes, ribbed features, and ratchet systems to allow for quick length adjustments without the need for multiple devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed-length access ports are used for various surgical depths, then adequate supply of multiple sizes is required, but this increases inventory complexity and storage burden
Solution Approach 1:
The access port is designed with a telescoping mechanism comprising an outer tube and an inner tube that can slide relative to each other, allowing a single device to provide multiple length configurations. This universal design eliminates the need for maintaining separate inventory of multiple fixed-length access ports while maintaining adaptability to various surgical depths
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, with the inner tube having a diameter slightly less than the outer tube's internal diameter to enable smooth sliding. This nested configuration allows compact storage and easy adjustment of length by extending or retracting the inner tube, thereby providing multiple effective lengths from a single device
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-length access ports are maintained in inventory, then adequate coverage of surgical depths is achieved, but this increases purchasing and storage costs
Solution Approach 1:
A single telescoping access port device can be configured to provide multiple length specifications by adjusting the extension of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. This multi-functional capability replaces the need to purchase and store multiple separate access ports of different lengths, thereby reducing inventory quantity and associated costs
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-length access ports are used, then manufacturing and supply chain are simplified, but frequent device changes during surgery are required
Solution Approach 1:
The access port incorporates a dynamic telescoping mechanism where the inner tube can slide within the outer tube to adjust length during surgery. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to adapt to varying surgical depths without requiring removal and replacement of the access port, thereby maintaining surgical efficiency and continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The nested tube configuration with engagement features such as ribs and grooves allows for quick length adjustments during surgery by sliding the inner tube to different positions. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling intraoperative adaptability, eliminating the need for frequent device changes
4Reliability
If multiple access port sizes are purchased and stored, then readiness for any surgery is ensured, but this increases operational burden on surgical centers
Solution Approach 1:
Surgical centers only need to purchase and store a single model of telescoping access port instead of multiple fixed-length variants. The device can be quickly adjusted intraoperatively to the required length, ensuring readiness for any surgical depth while significantly reducing the operational burden of inventory management and device selection
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and flexible access to surgical sites by allowing on-the-fly length adjustments, reducing the need for multiple devices and minimizing procedural disruptions, thereby enhancing surgical precision and reducing inventory and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (108) positioned between a proximal end of the upper tube and a proximal end of the middle tube, the spring forming an opening through which the upper tube is disposed; the middle tube is biased away from the upper tube in a configuration in which the spring is uncompressed
Implementation Method 2
the one or more fingers having ribs formed on an inner surface thereof; the lower tube including grooves disposed on at least a portion of an outer surface of the lower tube and configured to engage with the ribs on the inner surface of the one or more fingers of the upper tube
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
Adjustable-length surgical access devices are disclosed herein, which can advantageously allow an overall length of the access device to be quickly and easily changed by the user. The access devices herein can reduce or eliminate the need to maintain an inventory of many different length access devices. In some embodiments, the length of the access device can be adjusted while the access device is inserted into the patient. This can reduce or eliminate the need to swap in and out several different access devices before arriving at an optimal length access device. This can also reduce or eliminate the need to change the access device that is inserted into a patient as the depth at which a surgical step is performed changes over the course of a procedure. Rather, the length of the access device can be adjusted in situ and on-the-fly as needed or desired to accommodate different surgical depths.