Adjustable Trocar Cannula Axial Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical access devices lack flexibility in depth adjustment, requiring surgeons to exchange cannulas during procedures when operating on anatomical sites at varying distances, which is time-consuming and increases procedural risks.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable trocar assembly featuring a cannula with an elongated tubular member and a plurality of circular ridges interconnected by flexible material, allowing for axial movement and maintaining axial uniformity through a collar and rim, enabling partial extension or retraction without compromising the inner diameter for surgical instrument passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid cannula is used for surgical access, then structural stability is maintained, but flexibility in depth adjustment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple circular ridges (first, second, third, and fourth circular ridges) that can independently move relative to each other along the longitudinal axis. This segmentation allows the distal end to extend or retract independently while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the cannula shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure where the circular ridges can move along the longitudinal axis. The flexible material between ridges enables controlled deformation, allowing the cannula to adapt its effective length during surgery while maintaining stability when positioned.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cannula length is extended to reach deeper anatomical sites, then access to target sites is improved, but the risk of complications increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula allows dynamic adjustment of its effective length by moving the circular ridges along the longitudinal axis. The surgeon can extend the distal end to reach deeper anatomical sites when needed and retract it to reduce depth when approaching critical structures, thereby adapting the instrument length to match the specific surgical requirement and minimizing complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The effective length parameter of the cannula can be changed during the procedure by adjusting the position of circular ridges relative to each other. This parameter change allows the same cannula to serve multiple depth requirements without exchanging instruments, enabling precise control over the insertion depth to avoid complications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cannulas are exchanged during a procedure to adjust depth, then depth flexibility is achieved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of exchanging multiple rigid cannulas, the surgeon can dynamically adjust the effective length of a single cannula by moving the circular ridges along the longitudinal axis. This eliminates the time-consuming process of removing and reinserting different cannula sizes while achieving the same depth adjustment objective.
Solution Approach 2:
A single adjustable cannula performs the function of multiple fixed-length cannulas. By adjusting the position of circular ridges, the same cannula can effectively reach different depths (e.g., 5cm, 10cm, 15cm) depending on the surgical requirement, eliminating the need to carry and switch between multiple specialized cannulas.
4Measurement precision
If the inner diameter of the cannula is reduced to improve precision, then instrument passage is constrained, but adaptability for different instruments is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible material between circular ridges is segmented into multiple layers or zones that can independently deform. This segmentation allows the material to conform to different instrument diameters while maintaining the overall inner diameter opening, enabling precise instrument placement without compromising compatibility with various surgical tools.
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
The adjustable trocar assembly provides variable length without the need for cannula exchange, reducing procedural complications and allowing precise access to target sites within the body, while maintaining axial uniformity for standard obturator use.
Implementation Method 1
Each circular ridge of the plurality of circular ridges is operably coupled to one or more adjacent circular ridges of the plurality of circular ridges by a flexible material interconnecting adjacent circular ridges
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
An adjustable trocar assembly includes a housing configured to facilitate insertion of one or more surgical tools into a patient's body, and an elongated tubular member extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis. The elongated tubular member includes a channel configured to facilitate passage of surgical instruments through the elongated tubular member, an adjustable portion configured to facilitate axial movement of the elongated tubular member, a collar of fixed diameter; and a rim of fixed diameter equal to the diameter of the collar.