Flexible Bellows Support for Multiport Surgical Access Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical access devices for minimally invasive procedures often require multiple small incisions and lack flexibility in port sizes, which can limit instrument introduction and access to natural orifices during procedures like trans-anal minimally invasive surgery.
Innovation Solution
A multiport access device with a flexible support system, including bellows made of rubber-like materials, allows for relative angular movement and positioning of surgical instruments through multiple ports, providing a mechanical seal for insufflation gas and accommodating instruments of varying sizes, suitable for single incision or trans-anal procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple small incisions are made for conventional surgical access devices, then access to the surgical cavity is achieved, but patient trauma and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple access ports into a single integrated access device that can be inserted through one incision or natural orifice. The housing contains multiple ports (first port, second port, third port) that provide simultaneous access to the surgical cavity, eliminating the need for multiple separate incisions and reducing patient trauma while maintaining surgical accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The access device is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various surgical instruments through its multiple ports. The device provides multi-functional access for insufflation, irrigation, suction, and instrument passage through a single incision site, making it adaptable to different surgical needs without requiring additional incisions.
2Reliability
If conventional mechanical seals are used in access devices, then gas sealing is achieved, but device complexity and difficulty of insertion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible membrane seals instead of complex mechanical seal assemblies. The membrane seal is a thin, flexible barrier that provides gas sealing between the abdominal cavity and external environment while allowing for device flexibility and easier insertion. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical seal components and reduces overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed port sizes are used in access devices, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different instruments and procedures is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The access device divides the housing into multiple separate ports of different sizes and configurations. Each port can be optimized for specific instrument types (e.g., larger port for electrosurgical generator, smaller ports for other instruments), allowing the device to accommodate various surgical tools while maintaining a unified structure that is manufacturable.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If single incision access is used, then patient trauma is reduced, but access flexibility and instrument positioning are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The access device extends multiple ports in different spatial directions from the housing, creating a three-dimensional arrangement of access points. This allows instruments to be positioned at various angles and orientations while entering through a single incision, providing surgical flexibility comparable to multiple incisions without the associated patient trauma.
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 enables flexible and efficient access for minimally invasive surgeries with multiple port sizes, reducing the need for multiple incisions and enhancing procedural flexibility and gas sealing, facilitating quicker recovery and reduced hospital stay.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible support is of a material more flexible than those of the rigid body and access ports to provide for relative angular movement of at least one of the access ports
Implementation Method 2
a seal member disposed in the housing and configured to seal the working channel; and a plurality of sealing elements disposed in the seal member, each sealing element being configured to receive and form a seal around an instrument inserted therethrough
Data Source
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AI summary
An access device for surgical procedures includes a multiport end cap having a rigid body with a flexible support sealingly mounted to the rigid body with a plurality of separate access ports for accommodating introduction of individual surgical instruments into a body of a patient. At least one of the access ports is sealingly attached to the flexible support and extends in a proximal direction therefrom. The flexible support is of a material more flexible than those of the rigid body and access ports to provide for relative angular movement of at least one of the access ports to provide flexibility for positioning surgical instruments introduced through the access ports. The flexible support can include at least one flexible bellow.