Cross-Slit Cannula Sealing for Multi-Instrument Laparoscopy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing multiple surgical instruments through a single cannula in minimally invasive surgery is challenging due to instrument mobility, insufflation gas leakage, and the need for a larger cannula size, which increases patient trauma.

Innovation Solution

A cross-slit seal and cannula cap system with a cannula attachment, instrument guide, and seals that facilitate multiple instrument access, maintaining insufflation pressure, and allowing for a larger cannula diameter while minimizing patient incision size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple surgical instruments are introduced through a single cannula, then the number of patient incisions is reduced, but instrument mobility and management become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient trauma from incisionsVSAvoidinstrument mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single cannula is segmented into multiple separate channels, with each channel dedicated to a specific surgical instrument. This allows multiple instruments to pass through a single cannula while maintaining individual mobility and control, resolving the contradiction between reducing incisions and maintaining instrument maneuverability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple instrument channels are nested within the single cannula structure, with each channel containing a specific instrument pathway. This nested configuration enables multiple instruments to access the surgical site through one incision while preserving their individual operational independence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a larger cannula is used to accommodate multiple instruments, then instrument access is facilitated, but patient trauma increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument accessVSAvoidpatient trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula is divided into multiple internal channels of appropriate sizes for different instruments, eliminating the need for a single large opening. This segmentation allows the use of a smaller overall cannula diameter while still accommodating multiple instruments of varying sizes, thereby reducing patient trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each channel within the cannula is designed with specific local dimensions and characteristics optimized for particular instrument types. This localized optimization allows efficient instrument passage through a compact cannula structure without requiring an excessively large overall diameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a single cannula is used for multiple instruments, then the number of incisions is reduced, but insufflation gas leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of incisionsVSAvoidinsufflation pressure maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Flexible seals are positioned at the distal end of the cannula to create gas-tight barriers around each instrument channel. These flexible membranes conform to the instruments while maintaining insufflation pressure, preventing gas leakage through the single cannula access point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Seals act as intermediary elements between the insufflation gas and the surgical instruments passing through the cannula. These seals prevent direct communication between the gas-filled surgical site and the external environment, maintaining pressure integrity while allowing instrument movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The system enables effective management of multiple instruments through a single cannula, reducing gas leakage and allowing for smaller incisions, enhancing surgical dexterity and reducing patient trauma.

Implementation Method 1

a cross-slit seal including a side wall including folded sidewalls; slits formed by the folded sidewalls when the cross-slit seal is in a closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4238605B1Sealing multiple surgical instruments

Publication Date: 2025.12.24 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

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AI summary

A multi-instrument sealing mechanism is provided. The multi-instrument sealing mechanism includes a cannula seal, a cannula cap, an instrument guide, an instrument seal, and door mechanisms in the instrument guide. The cannula seal can include a cross-slit seal. The cannula cap can capture the cannula seal between the instrument guide and the cannula. A door mechanism and instrument seal can be housed in the instrument guide.