Flexible Cannula Distal Ring for Sealed Minimally Invasive Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannulas for minimally invasive surgery face challenges in achieving a balance between flexibility and rigidity, ease of insertion, and effective fluid sealing, with prior art devices failing to address these issues effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cannula system comprising a flexible body with a flange and a distal ring, combined with an obturator, that facilitates easy insertion, prevents slippage, and provides a seal to prevent fluid egress, featuring a flange that bends during insertion and a ring that acts as a stop for the obturator, enhancing the balance of flexibility and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If stiffer material is added to the cannula to aid insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is constructed as a composite structure combining a flexible polymeric body with an integrated rigid ring at the distal end. This composite design allows the majority of the cannula body to maintain flexibility for easy manipulation and positioning, while the rigid ring provides the necessary stiffness at the distal tip to facilitate insertion through tissue and provide a stopping point during advancement.
2Reliability
If a fluid blocking structure is added to prevent fluid egress, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but insertion difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the existing cannula body structure through an integrated seal member that forms part of the polymeric body. This seal member extends radially inward to contact the inner surface of the cannula body, creating a fluid-tight barrier without requiring separate components or complex mechanisms that would complicate insertion.
3Ease of operation
If the flange is made flexible for easy insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but positioning stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flange is segmented into multiple radial arms that can independently flex and deform during insertion. This segmentation allows each arm to bend and conform to tissue contours during advancement, reducing resistance, while the overall flange structure maintains its integrity to provide stable positioning once inserted. The segmented design enables the flange to adapt to curved anatomical paths while preserving positioning capability.
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 system ensures easy and secure insertion of surgical instruments while maintaining a seal, reducing the risk of fluid leakage and cannula slippage, facilitating one-handed manipulation and use in various minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A flange is positioned at a distal end of the body portion and is flexible for insertion through an incision in a body of a patient
Implementation Method 2
A seal is positioned within the body portion to prevent egress of fluids from the body of the patient
Implementation Method 3
A rigid ring is positioned at the distal region of the body portion, the ring having an opening dimensioned to receive at least a distal portion of an obturator tip therethrough and a surface surrounding the opening in the ring onto which at least a portion of the obturator contacts to prevent further passage of the obturator
Data Source
AI summary
A cannula for providing a pathway for surgical instruments in a minimally invasive procedure having a flexible body portion having a flexible flange extending radially outwardly from the distal region of the flexible body portion. A first seal is positioned within the body portion to prevent egress of fluids from the body of the patient. A rigid ring is positioned at the distal region of the body portion, the ring having an opening dimensioned to receive at least a distal portion of an obturator tip therethrough and a surface surrounding the opening in the ring onto which at least a portion of the obturator contacts to prevent further passage of the obturator.