Deployable Funnel Assembly for Tissue Specimen Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures face challenges in removing large tissue specimens due to restricted access and the need to prevent cancer cell seeding, requiring the breakdown of specimens within an enclosed environment.
Innovation Solution
A device and system featuring a deployable assembly with a funnel and guards that can be extended from a sheath to enclose tissue specimens, allowing for morcellation and removal through a surgical tool, while maintaining containment to prevent cell seeding, utilizing fluid communication for deployment and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If large tissue specimens are removed through minimally-invasive openings, then the benefit of minimally-invasive surgery is achieved, but the restricted access prevents intact removal of large specimens
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue specimen is divided into smaller fragments through morcellation performed within the enclosed environment of the deployable assembly, allowing removal through restricted minimally-invasive openings while maintaining the benefit of small incisions
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable assembly is nested within the sheath in a retracted state for insertion through minimally-invasive openings, then deployed to provide a larger working environment for specimen containment and morcellation
2Ease of operation
If large tissue specimens are broken down into smaller pieces for removal, then removal through restricted access is enabled, but the risk of cancer cell seeding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable assembly is deployed and positioned to enclose the tissue specimen before any morcellation or breakdown occurs, establishing containment barriers in advance to prevent cancer cell seeding during the fragmentation process
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable assembly acts as an intermediary enclosed environment between the surgical tool and the external environment, allowing specimen breakdown while maintaining containment to prevent harmful cancer cell dispersal
3Reliability
If a deployable assembly is extended from the sheath to enclose tissue specimens, then containment capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable assembly transitions from a retracted static state within the sheath to a deployed dynamic state where it extends to enclose the tissue specimen, providing containment capability only when needed while maintaining a compact form for insertion
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable assembly utilizes flexible guard members that can deflect and conform, allowing the complex structure to adapt to the specimen while maintaining containment, and enabling the assembly to be compressed into a compact retracted state within the sheath
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
Enables the safe and efficient breakdown and removal of tissue specimens from internal body cavities, preventing cancer cell seeding and facilitating the removal of large specimens through minimally-invasive openings.
Implementation Method 1
The living hinges bias the guards towards the presented condition. In response to sufficient proximal urging, the guards are configured to deflect inwardly in the interior of the funnel against the bias of the living hinges
Implementation Method 2
An outflow line communicates with the first interior chamber and is configured to supply fluid thereto to deploy the deployable assembly from the retracted condition to the deployed condition
Implementation Method 3
An inflow line communicates with the second interior chamber and is configured to withdraw fluid therefrom to return the deployable assembly towards the retracted condition
Data Source
AI summary
A device facilitating removal of tissue includes a sheath and a deployable assembly deployable from the sheath. The deployable assembly includes a funnel, a proximal apex portion, a distal base portion, and a plurality of guards. Each guard defines a fixed end attached to a portion of an annular perimeter of the distal base portion of the funnel by a living hinge. In the deployed condition of the deployable assembly, the guards are disposed in a presented condition wherein the guards extend radially inwardly from the annular perimeter of the distal base portion of the funnel in overlapping relation relative to one another such that the guards extend across the distal base portion of the funnel to enclose an interior of the funnel. A containment bag for sealingly encapsulating the funnel therein is also provided as part of a system with the device. Methods of use are provided as well.