Asymmetric Surgical Protective Device for Trocar Sealing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical protective devices for sealing systems face challenges in manufacturing and positioning due to the need for overlapping protective elements, which can result in an unnecessarily thick package and complicate the handling and protection of surgical sealing elements during instrument insertion.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped surgical protective device with asymmetrically configured protective elements that are connected to a main body via a film hinge, allowing for easy handling and positioning, and enabling secure protection without excessive material thickness, as the elements can be swiveled to cover the sealing element effectively without overlapping excessively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If protective elements are arranged to overlap to ensure complete coverage of the sealing element, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and material thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective elements are designed with articulation points that allow them to dynamically adjust their position and orientation. This dynamic capability enables the elements to adapt to instruments of varying diameters and shapes, providing complete coverage without requiring excessive overlapping of rigid structures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective elements feature asymmetric configurations with different edge profiles (convex and concave edges). This asymmetry allows optimized positioning and reduced overlapping requirements when elements are arranged circumferentially, as each element can be precisely oriented to maximize coverage efficiency, reducing the total number of elements needed and simplifying the overall device structure.
2Reliability
If multiple protective elements are arranged circumferentially to cover the sealing element, then protection coverage is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into multiple identical or similar protective elements that can be manufactured using the same process and then assembled around the sealing element. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing of individual elements while achieving comprehensive coverage through their circumferential arrangement, simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to creating a single complex protective structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective elements are designed to be nested or closely positioned around the sealing element, with each element fitting into the circumferential sequence. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization and ensures complete coverage while minimizing the total material required and simplifying the manufacturing of the overall protective device structure.
3Reliability
If protective elements are made thicker to ensure adequate protection, then protection capability is improved, but handling and positioning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective elements incorporate articulation points that enable them to flex and adjust during handling and positioning. This dynamic flexibility allows thin-walled elements to be easily manipulated and positioned without excessive thickness, while still providing adequate protection when properly positioned, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing protection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a surgical protective device for a surgical sealing element of a surgical sealing system comprising a trocar sleeve, the surgical sealing element having an expandable insertion opening. Said protective device comprises a ring-shaped or substantially ring-shaped main body adapted to be arranged on the trocar sleeve, on a part thereof or on the sealing element and defines a through-opening with a plurality of protective elements arranged in the circumferential direction and extending parallel to or pointing towards a longitudinal axis of the protective device. Each of the protective elements is configured asymmetrically in relation to a plane containing a longitudinal axis defined by the main body.