Blunt Trocar with Smooth Edge for Minimizing Tissue Trauma

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current trocar insertion methods for subcutaneous hormone pellet delivery are traumatic, causing pain, scarring, and increased risk of infection, with inflammatory responses that hinder absorption and lead to pellet extrusion, particularly in male testosterone replacement therapy due to large gauge trocars and high dosages.

Innovation Solution

A minimally traumatic trocar apparatus featuring a blunt cannula with a smooth edge and an obturator having an anterior rounded tip, designed to minimize tissue trauma during insertion, along with hydrodissection to prepare the insertion path and reduce inflammation, allowing for consistent and prolonged medication release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional sharp-tipped trocars are used for pellet insertion, then insertion efficiency is improved, but tissue trauma increases causing pain, scarring, and inflammatory responses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion efficiencyVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional sharp-tipped trocar design by using a blunt-tipped trocar. Instead of cutting through tissue with a sharp edge, the blunt tip pushes tissue aside to create an insertion path, thereby reducing tissue trauma while maintaining insertion efficiency through proper device design and technique

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces hydrodissection fluid as an intermediary substance that facilitates trocar insertion by separating tissue planes and reducing friction. This fluid mediator allows the blunt-tipped trocar to advance through subcutaneous tissue with minimal resistance and trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If large gauge trocars are used for high dosage pellet insertion, then medication delivery capacity is improved, but tissue damage and infection risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication delivery capacityVSAvoidtissue damage and infection risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the medication delivery process by using multiple smaller pellets that can be inserted sequentially through a single trocar site. This approach maintains total medication delivery capacity while using a smaller gauge trocar that causes less tissue damage and reduces infection risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs nested obturators where a smaller obturator is inserted first to create an initial path, followed by a larger obturator that delivers the pellets. This nested approach allows efficient pellet delivery through minimized tissue disruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Speed

If traumatic insertion methods are used, then insertion speed is improved, but inflammatory response increases hindering absorption and causing pellet extrusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion speedVSAvoidpellet retention and absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary hydrodissection before trocar insertion to create a prepared pathway through the tissue. This preliminary action separates tissue planes and reduces resistance, allowing fast insertion without traumatic tissue disruption that would trigger inflammation and pellet extrusion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20220226018A1Minimally traumatic trocar apparatus and kit for subcutaneous medication delivery

Publication Date: 2022.07.21 SOUTHLAKE MEDICAL DEVICES LLC

AI summary

A minimally traumatic trocar apparatus for delivering one or more medication pellets to a subcutaneous insertion site is described. The minimally traumatic trocar apparatus includes a blunt cannula and an obturator. The blunt cannula includes a tubular cannula body having an anterior end with a surface that has a smooth edge. The blunt cannula also includes a medication slot disposed along the tubular cannula body and an inner diameter that is at least 3 millimeters (mm). The obturator includes an anterior rounded tip. The obturator body is inserted within the tubular cannula body so that the obturator extends through the tubular cannula body so that the anterior rounded tip of the obturator extends past the anterior end of the tubular cannula body.