Adjustable Tissue Guard with Ratcheting Resilient Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures face challenges with maneuverability and visualization due to restricted access, particularly when removing large tissue specimens, which often require breakdown into smaller pieces for removal.
Innovation Solution
A tissue guard system with a body comprising two sections that can be incrementally adjusted in height through a ratcheting mechanism, featuring resilient fingers and holes for secure engagement, and a design that allows for fluid management and protection against surgical instrumentation, along with a port connector for fluid-tight rotation and vertical compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-height tissue guard is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different surgical needs or accommodate various access device sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue guard body is divided into multiple discrete sections (first section, second section, third section) that can be independently positioned relative to each other. Each section can be adjusted to different heights and locked in place, allowing the overall guard height to be customized for different surgical needs while maintaining a relatively simple modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue guard transitions from a static fixed-height structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The resilient fingers provide mechanical movement capability, allowing the guard height to be changed during the surgical procedure by moving sections relative to each other along the adjustment axis and locking them at desired positions.
2Strength
If the tissue guard is made rigid for stability and protection, then it provides reliable structural support, but it cannot be compressed for insertion within access devices
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue guard incorporates resilient (flexible) sections that allow the structure to dynamically change its mechanical properties. During insertion, the guard can be compressed as the resilient sections flex. Once inserted and deployed, the resilient sections return to their original shape, providing the necessary structural stability and rigidity for protection and support during the surgical procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the tissue guard (specifically its rigidity and compressibility) are changed by utilizing resilient materials and structures. The resilient fingers and sections can transition between a compressed state during insertion and an expanded, rigid state during use, effectively changing the structural parameters of the guard to meet different operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tissue guard has a fixed structure, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot provide optimized fluid management for different surgical configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid management system is segmented into multiple channels and ports that are integrated into different sections of the adjustable tissue guard. Each section can have independently configured fluid channels that connect to ports at various positions, allowing the fluid management pathway to be optimized for different surgical configurations while using standardized manufacturing components.
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 the safe and efficient removal of tissue specimens by providing adjustable access, protecting surrounding tissue and instrumentation, and facilitating fluid management while maintaining a secure and flexible interface with surgical access devices.
Implementation Method 1
The distal end of the first section includes a plurality of resilient fingers operably coupled thereto, each of the plurality of resilient fingers including a flange biased towards the distal end of the first section
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue guard includes a body having a first section and a second section each defining an open proximal end, an open distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The distal end of the first section includes a plurality of resilient fingers operably coupled thereto, each of the plurality of resilient fingers including a flange biased towards the distal end of the first section. The second section includes a corresponding plurality of holes defined therein in annular row-like spatial registration with the plurality of resilient fingers. The distal end of the second section is configured to be telescopically received within the proximal end of the first section such that mechanical engagement of the plurality of fingers with a corresponding row of annular holes locks the first section relative to the second section to incrementally adjust the height of the body.