Cannula With Deployable Optics For Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical instruments lack the ability to protect optics during insertion and achieve offset viewing angles, limiting efficiency and control in minimally invasive procedures with fewer incisions.
Innovation Solution
A cannula assembly with a deployable portion that houses imaging and illumination components, allowing these components to transition between closed and open positions for protection during insertion and optimal viewing angles, featuring a tubular element with a rotatable deployable portion and electronic components, including image transmission and illumination sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple narrow cannulas are inserted through individual ports to accommodate various instruments and viewing angles, then surgical versatility and viewing angles are improved, but the number of incisions and trauma to the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple narrow cannulas and their respective functions (instruments, imaging, illumination) into a single integrated cannula assembly. This merging allows the surgeon to perform multiple functions through one incision site, reducing the number of incisions required while maintaining surgical versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula assembly is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating instrument passages, imaging components, and illumination sources within a single structure. This universal design enables the single cannula to serve multiple purposes that previously required separate devices and incisions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single cannula is used to minimize incisions, then trauma to the patient is reduced, but the ability to accommodate multiple instruments and achieve varying viewing angles is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single cannula assembly is segmented into multiple functional components including separate passages for different instruments, deployable portions with imaging devices, and illumination sources. This segmentation within a unified structure allows multiple instruments to be accommodated while maintaining a single incision site.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula assembly employs a nested structure where imaging components, illumination devices, and instrument passages are contained within the outer cannula structure. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to be housed within a single cannula, maintaining compactness while providing versatile functionality.
3Ease of operation
If imaging and illumination components are exposed during insertion, then viewing capability is improved, but the optics are vulnerable to damage and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging and illumination components are designed to be deployable rather than fixed. They can be retracted into a protective position during insertion and then deployed to an operational position once the cannula is properly positioned. This dynamic configuration allows the optics to be protected when vulnerable and exposed when needed for viewing.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is inserted with the imaging and illumination components in a retracted or protected position before they are needed for viewing. This preliminary protective action prevents damage and contamination during the insertion phase, and the components are then deployed to their operational positions once the cannula is securely in place.
4Reliability
If a deployable portion is added to house imaging components, then optics protection and viewing angle adjustment are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula assembly is divided into a main body portion and a deployable portion. This segmentation allows the imaging components to be housed in a separate section that can be independently deployed or retracted, simplifying the overall design while providing protection and adjustment capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cannula assembly includes a tubular element forming a lumen, a deployable portion of the tubular element, and an electronic component mounted to the deployable portion of the tubular element. The tubular element has a proximal end and a distal end adapted to be inserted into a body cavity. The deployable portion of the tubular element is engaged near the distal end of the tubular element so as to transition between a closed position and an open position. The electronic component is at least partially disposed in the lumen when the deployable portion is in the closed position.