Expandable Laparoscopic Port with Deployable Anchor
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic surgical systems face challenges in securely closing trocar wound sites, particularly in obese patients, and in anchoring or securing laparoscopic devices relative to laparoscopic surgical ports, leading to complications such as hernias, bowel strictures, and bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic device with an expandable housing that accommodates trocars of varying dimensions, featuring a deployable suture and anchor system for port site closure, and a design allowing the olive to be coupled with a trocar subsequent to its insertion, facilitating secure anchoring and closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size trocar port is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate trocars of varying dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The trocar port is designed with an expandable structure that can dynamically adjust its size. The port includes expandable walls with articulation points that allow the port to expand from a compact state to accommodate larger trocars, and contract to a smaller state for smaller trocars. This dynamic adaptation enables a single device to handle varying trocar dimensions without requiring multiple fixed-size ports.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the olive is provided prior to trocar insertion, then anchoring is secured, but it cannot be used with all trocar types particularly radially dilating trocars
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable port is prepared in a contracted state before trocar insertion, allowing the trocar to be inserted first through the abdominal wall. After insertion, the port is then expanded to secure the trocar. This preliminary configuration enables compatibility with radially dilating trocars that create their own pathway, while still allowing secure anchoring to be established afterward when the port is expanded.
3Reliability
If deeper access is attempted to reach the fascial layer, then closure quality improves, but surgical difficulty and risk increase particularly in obese patients
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable port structure provides self-anchoring through its expansion mechanism. When the port is expanded after trocar insertion, the walls press against the fascial layer and surrounding tissue, creating secure anchoring without requiring deep manual access. The expansion action itself generates the anchoring force, eliminating the need for the surgeon to deeply dissect and manually secure the port to the fascial layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscopic surgical system configured for cooperation with a trocar is described. In one configuration, the system is configured to expand to accommodate trocars of varying dimensions. In another configuration, which is not necessarily exclusive of the first configuration, the system may function to provide an anchoring and closure system for use in laparoscopic surgery.