Biodegradable Trocar Site Closure Clip for Hernia Risk Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Larger trocar sites used in laparoscopic surgeries increase the risk of complications such as incisional bowel herniation and small bowel obstruction, and existing closure devices are cumbersome, require a learning curve, and cause trocar site pain due to incorporation of the peritoneum.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable trocar site closure clip with a triangular central body and arms that pierce and engage the tissue, partially blocking the trocar site, reducing the need for full fascial closure, formed from a resilient material that transitions between a compressed and standard state for easy insertion and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If larger trocars are used to execute complex surgeries, then surgical capability is improved, but the risk of complications such as incisional bowel herniation and small bowel obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device segments the closure function into two parts: (1) the clip that blocks the trocar site opening, and (2) the optional suture that provides additional fascial closure. This segmentation allows the device to address herniation risk without requiring complete fascial closure, thereby reducing complications while maintaining surgical capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by blocking only the trocar site opening rather than requiring complete fascial closure. The clip suffices to block the opening and prevent herniation, eliminating the need for excessive suture material and complex closure techniques, thereby reducing complications while maintaining surgical capability.
2Reliability
If existing closure devices incorporate the peritoneum into the closure, then closure effectiveness is improved, but trocar site pain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the peritoneum from the closure process. The clip is designed to block the trocar site opening without incorporating the peritoneum into the closure, thereby maintaining closure effectiveness while eliminating the source of trocar site pain associated with peritoneal incorporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by providing sufficient blocking of the trocar site opening without the excessive action of incorporating the peritoneum. The clip alone is sufficient to prevent herniation, eliminating the need for peritoneal incorporation and the associated pain.
3Reliability
If needle-based devices are used to puncture the fascia, then closure effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and learning curve increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the complex mechanical needle-based puncture system with a simpler clip-based blocking system. The clip is delivered through the trocar site and expanded to block the opening, eliminating the need for needle puncture, suture passage, and complex mechanical manipulation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining closure effectiveness.
4Reliability
If suture material is used for fascial closure, then closure effectiveness is improved, but the procedure becomes more time-consuming and technically difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the time-consuming suture-based mechanical closure system with a rapid clip-based blocking system. The clip is delivered through the trocar site and expanded to block the opening in a single motion, eliminating the need for needle passage, knot tying, and complex suture manipulation, thereby significantly reducing closure time while maintaining effectiveness.
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
Significantly reduces post-operative herniation by blocking the trocar site without full fascial closure, minimizing complications and simplifying the closure process, while being biodegradable and causing less patient discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
formed from a resilient material that transitions between a compressed and standard state for easy insertion and retention
Implementation Method 2
The biodegradable clip remains in the patient's tissue, at least partially blocking the trocar site, and degrades over time as the patient heals
Data Source
AI summary
A trocar site closure clip includes a generally triangular central body, a pair of arms extending from the body, and an elongated support extending from the body between the arms. In use, the clip is advanced into a patient through a trocar, the trocar removed, then the clip partially retracted to engage and pierce the patient's tissue. The biodegradable clip remains in the patient's tissue, at least partially blocking the trocar site, and degrades over time as the patient heals.