Flexible Barrier Organ Retraction for Laparoscopic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgery often results in unintentional injuries to patient tissue structures due to the complex and unpredictable movement of organs during procedures, which can be hidden by blood or other tissues, leading to delayed and potentially traumatic responses, and existing organ retention devices either obstruct valuable trocar ports or are limited in their ability to retract multiple organs simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A biologically compatible flexible barrier, such as a mesh netting, is used with anchor strings and a weighted peripheral structure to restrain organs, allowing for their secure retention within the abdominal cavity without relying on trocar ports, enabling the device to be unfurled and maneuvered to maintain a clear surgical field, and the anchor strings can be cut and removed post-surgery, allowing the netting to be retrieved through the port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If retraction fibers are held between two trocar sheathes, then organ retraction is achieved, but two valuable ports are occupied and workflow is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the retraction function from the trocar port system by using a single-port deployable retractor that does not require holding fibers between two sheathes. The retractor is deployed through one port and anchors directly to tissue, eliminating the need to occupy two valuable ports while maintaining reliable organ retraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-port deployable retractor serves multiple functions: it provides organ retraction, maintains port availability for other instruments, and enables flexible positioning without requiring a second port. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making the retraction system compatible with standard single-port laparoscopic workflows.
2Reliability
If an anchor is deployed to tissue and tether line runs out trocar, then one tissue can be retracted, but full freedom of movement of surgical tools is limited and only one tissue can be retracted at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the retraction function by providing multiple independent retractors that can be deployed through the same port. Each retractor can anchor to different tissues and provide independent retraction forces, enabling simultaneous multi-tissue retraction without limiting surgical tool movement through a single tether line constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-line tether constraint to multi-dimensional retraction by deploying multiple retractors with different anchor points and orientation capabilities. This allows retraction of multiple tissues in different directions simultaneously while maintaining full freedom of movement for surgical tools through the port.
3Ease of operation
If organs are not restrained, then surgical field is accessible, but unintentional injuries occur due to unpredictable organ movement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by deploying retractors to restrain organs before surgical manipulation begins. This pre-positioning of organs prevents unpredictable movement during surgery, eliminating the harmful factor of accidental injury while maintaining clear access to the surgical field throughout the procedure.
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 device effectively reduces the incidence of accidental injuries by maintaining a clear surgical field and allowing for the simultaneous retraction of multiple organs, enhancing patient safety and surgical efficiency without the need for additional incisions or port obstruction.
Implementation Method 1
the weighted peripheral structure is configured to weigh the weighted peripheral region to hang down from the axis between the connection regions
Data Source
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AI summary
An organ retention device and system, and use of the same for laparoscopic surgery is provided. The organ retention device includes a biologically compatible flexible barrier configured to restrain one or more organs. First and second anchor strings extend from first and second connection regions of the flexible barrier respectively and have a first and a second loop distal from the flexible barrier. At least one expansion element is configured to expand the flexible barrier generally perpendicularly to an axis between the first connection region and the second connection region when the first loop and the second loop are held apart in tension. A retraction device is also provided having a sharp distal end configured to enter an abdominal cavity by puncturing the abdominal wall, and a hook proximate to the sharp distal end configured to catch and retract one of the loops.