Cord-Based Organ Retraction Apparatus for Laparoscopic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgical procedures require additional incisions and manual assistance to move internal organs, increasing costs and patient discomfort due to the need for additional surgical personnel and incisions for retracting instruments.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising flexible cord segments with tissue connectors that can be inserted through the abdominal wall to move and hold internal organs, such as the liver, away from other organs like the stomach, without requiring further manual input or additional incisions, using cord segments and tissue connectors to engage and secure the organs in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If surgical graspers or retracting instruments are used to move internal organs, then surgical access to the targeted organ is improved, but additional incisions in the abdominal wall are required which increase patient discomfort and scarring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the function of organ retraction with the existing surgical incision by inserting a cord-based apparatus through the same incision used for surgical instruments. The cord segments are threaded through the abdominal wall via the existing incision, eliminating the need for separate incisions for retracting instruments and thereby reducing patient discomfort and scarring while maintaining surgical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cord-based intermediary apparatus that transfers the retraction force from the surgical site to the organ. The cord segments act as a mediator that can be manipulated through the existing incision to move the organ without requiring additional direct access points, thus resolving the contradiction between needing surgical access and avoiding additional incisions.
2Ease of operation
If additional surgical personnel are employed to manipulate retracting instruments, then the ability to move and hold organs is improved, but surgical costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the surgical system to perform organ retraction and positioning functions autonomously through the cord-based apparatus that can be manipulated through the existing incision. The apparatus self-positions and holds organs without requiring additional surgical personnel, thereby reducing labor costs while maintaining the capability to manipulate organs effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord-based apparatus serves multiple functions including organ retraction, positioning, and holding, which were previously requiring separate instruments and additional personnel. This multi-functional device consolidates the needs of multiple surgical staff members into a single apparatus that can be operated through the existing incision, reducing surgical costs while improving operational capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple incisions are made for surgical instruments and retracting instruments, then access to the abdominal cavity is improved, but the number of incisions increases which affects patient recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the access function into a single incision by designing the cord-based apparatus to be inserted and manipulated through the same incision used for surgical instruments. This consolidation reduces the total number of incisions required, simplifying the surgical approach while maintaining versatile access to the abdominal cavity for both instrumentation and organ manipulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical tissue connector system for moving a first internal body tissue to a position away from a second internal body tissue and then holding the first internal body tissue in the position. Tissue connectors are secured to cords such that the length of cord between the tissue connectors can be easily adjusted in a laparoscopic work space.