Atraumatic Trocar with Rounded Obturator Tip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trocar insertion methods for subcutaneous hormone pellet delivery are traumatic, causing pain, scarring, inflammation, and increased healing time, with a higher risk of pellet extrusion due to the use of angled cutting edges that lead to tissue trauma and inconsistent hormone absorption.
Innovation Solution
An atraumatic trocar apparatus and method utilizing a cannula with a smooth anterior edge and an obturator featuring an anterior rounded tip, which delivers a hydrodissecting fluid to minimize tissue trauma during insertion and facilitate the delivery of medication pellets through a fluid channel, reducing the risk of scarring and pellet extrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional trocar with angled cutting edge is used, then insertion efficiency is improved, but tissue trauma and pain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator tip is designed with a rounded, curved geometry instead of an angled cutting edge. This spherical/curved shape allows the obturator to gently displace tissue rather than cut through it, reducing trauma while maintaining insertion capability through the cannula
2Speed
If angled cutting edge trocar is used, then insertion speed is improved, but scarring and healing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded obturator tip enables rapid insertion by smoothly navigating through tissue without the need for cutting motions, while simultaneously minimizing tissue damage that would require extended healing time and scarring
3Productivity
If traditional trocar insertion method is used, then delivery capability is improved, but inflammation and pellet extrusion risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded obturator tip delivers pellets through gentle displacement of tissue rather than traumatic cutting, reducing inflammation that could lead to pellet extrusion while maintaining the ability to push pellets through the cannula and into subcutaneous tissue
4Manufacturing precision
If repeated injections are used, then dosage consistency is improved, but patient convenience and cost decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads multiple hormone pellets into the cannula before insertion, allowing multiple doses to be delivered in a single atraumatic procedure. This eliminates the need for repeated injection visits while maintaining consistent hormone delivery through the slow-release pellet mechanism
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 atraumatic approach minimizes tissue trauma, reduces healing time, and ensures consistent hormone delivery with fewer visits to the doctor, providing more effective and cost-efficient hormone replacement therapy by maintaining stable hormone levels over an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
The obturator is configured to create a fluid channel within a subcutaneous tissue by delivering a hydrodissecting fluid solution through the at least one opening proximate to the anterior rounded tip
Data Source
AI summary
An atraumatic trocar apparatus, kit, and method of use are described. The atraumatic trocar includes a cannula and an obturator with an anterior rounded tip and an opening proximate to the anterior rounded tip. The atraumatic trocar is assembled by passing the obturator through an interior passage of a tubular cannula body of the cannula. The assembled atraumatic trocar is used to probe an incision, while delivering a hydrodissecting fluid through the opening to create a fluid channel, to reach a delivery site within subcutaneous tissue. The obturator is removed from the cannula and two or more medication pellets loaded within the interior passage. The obturator is used to push the medication pellets through the interior passage to the delivery site and deposit the medication pellets within the subcutaneous tissue.