1.6 mm Beveled Shaft Laparoscopic Instrument Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgery faces challenges with instrument collision and loss of triangulation due to the need for multiple incisions, leading to inefficient surgical movements and increased operative time, especially in Single Site surgeries where instruments are close together.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic instrument with a 1.6 mm diameter beveled shaft is inserted through the umbilicus without a skin incision, allowing for the docking and undocking of various surgical instruments using a novel locking mechanism, enabling precise placement and movement of instruments without creating abdominal scars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple laparoscopic ports are placed during traditional laparoscopic surgery, then instruments can be manipulated with triangulation, but multiple skin incisions are created leading to abdominal scars and post-operative pain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested structure where a thin access shaft (1.6mm) is inserted first through the umbilicus, and then larger diameter instruments are docked onto this shaft. This allows instruments to be introduced through a single small umbilical port rather than multiple larger incisions, eliminating abdominal scars while maintaining instrument functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If Laparo-Endoscopic Single Site (LESS) surgery is performed through a single umbilical incision, then abdominal scars and post-operative pain are reduced, but instrument collision and loss of triangulation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of the surgical system by allowing the surgeon to undock and redock different instruments onto the access shaft in various sequences and positions. This dynamic adaptability allows optimization of instrument placement and angles during surgery, maintaining triangulation and preventing collision despite the single-site constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the access system by using an extremely thin 1.6mm shaft that can be easily inserted through the umbilicus without creating visible scars. This parameter change enables single-site surgery while the docking mechanism compensates for the loss of triangulation by allowing flexible instrument configuration
3Object-affected harmful factors
If instruments are placed through a single umbilical incision in LESS surgery, then abdominal scars are eliminated, but surgical operative time increases due to instrument collision and inefficient movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the thin access shaft through the umbilicus before introducing the actual surgical instruments. This preliminary placement establishes a stable docking platform that facilitates quick instrument exchanges and reduces the time needed for instrument manipulation during the surgical procedure
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.