Flexible Button Cannula With Dual Fluid Dams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannulas are rigid and inflexible, lacking stability during instrument transfer, and require separate sealing mechanisms for instruments and fluid management, with a need for improved flange design and fluid seals to prevent fluid squirting and over-insertion.
Innovation Solution
A flexible button cannula with large inner and outer flanges made from silicone, featuring two fluid dams and a thicker outer flange to prevent over-insertion, designed to deform and expand for secure positioning and fluid containment during arthroscopic surgery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid cannulas are used to maintain structural integrity, then the cannula can provide a sealed passageway, but the cannula lacks stability during instrument transfer and cannot be easily inserted through minimally invasive portals
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible structure that can dynamically adapt its shape. The flexible material allows the cannula to be compressed for insertion through small portals and then expand to provide stability during instrument transfer, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula is constructed from flexible material that forms a flexible shell, allowing it to deform during insertion and then maintain its shape for stability during use. This flexible shell provides both the ease of insertion through minimally invasive portals and the stability needed during instrument transfer.
2Ease of operation
If the inner flange is made wide to provide stability during instrument transfer, then stability is improved, but the portal diameter must be increased which contradicts the goal of minimally invasive surgery
Solution Approach 1:
The flange transitions from a compressed state during insertion to an expanded state during use. The flexible material allows the flange to be compact for passing through small portals and then expand to provide the necessary stability and support for instrument transfer, eliminating the need for a large portal diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange can be nested or collapsed within the cannula body during insertion, allowing it to pass through small portals. Once in position, the flange expands outward to provide stability, similar to a nested doll that is compact for storage but large when deployed.
3Device complexity
If a single sealing mechanism is used in the cannula, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cannula cannot effectively prevent fluid squirting both during insertion and during instrument transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two distinct dams: a first dam for sealing during instrument transfer and a second dam for sealing during insertion. This segmentation allows each dam to be optimized for its specific function, ensuring reliable fluid sealing throughout the entire procedure while maintaining manageable device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second dam is positioned to provide preliminary sealing during the insertion phase before instruments are transferred. This preliminary action prevents fluid squirting during insertion, and then the first dam provides sealing during the instrument transfer phase, ensuring continuous protection.
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 flexible button cannula provides enhanced stability and fluid management, preventing fluid leakage and over-insertion while allowing for minimally invasive procedures with improved flange design and dual sealing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
The cannula is manufactured from from silicone, or a similar flexible material, the flexible material being configured to be at least partly deformed upon insertion of the cannula into the body
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible button cannula for arthroscopic surgery made from silicone, or a similar flexible material. The button cannula has large inner and outer flanges for improved stability when installed into the body. The button cannula may include two fluid dams. A first dam is located within the cannula elongated portal between the inner and outer flanges and prevents fluid from squirting out of the body when instruments are being inserted through the cannula. A second dam is located at the outer, or top, flange (i.e., the flange that remains outside of the body) to prevent fluid from squirting when the cannula itself is being inserted within the body. The button cannula may also include an outer, or top, flange that is thicker than the inner, or bottom, flange, to prevent the over insertion of the cannula into the body.