Flexible Cannula With Phaseable Conduit for Surgical Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures face limitations due to the spatial constraints and need to maintain body cavities in an insufflated state, which restricts the manipulation of surgical instruments within internal body cavities.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access device with a tubular member featuring a conduit that transitions between flexible and rigid states through fluid manipulation, allowing for flexible navigation and subsequent fixation to maintain a desired path for instrument insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid cannula is used to maintain a desired path, then stability and path maintenance are improved, but flexibility and ease of navigation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula incorporates a phaseable conduit that can dynamically transition between flexible and rigid states. When fluid is introduced into the annular lumen, the conduit expands and becomes rigid to maintain the desired path. When fluid is removed, the conduit contracts and becomes flexible for navigation. This dynamic state change allows the cannula to adapt its mechanical properties based on operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula's rigidity parameter is changed by controlling the presence or absence of fluid in the annular lumen. The phaseable conduit's physical state (flexible vs. rigid) is directly controlled by the fluid parameter, allowing the system to switch between operational modes as needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If small incisions are used for minimally invasive surgery, then patient trauma and recovery time are reduced, but instrument manipulation capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The phaseable conduit enables the cannula to be flexible during insertion through small incisions, minimizing patient trauma. Once positioned, the conduit transitions to a rigid state to provide stable support for instrument manipulation, thus resolving the contradiction between minimizing trauma and enabling effective manipulation.
3Area of stationary object
If the body cavity is maintained in an insufflated state, then work area accessibility is improved, but instrument manipulation freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula's ability to transition between flexible and rigid states allows it to adapt to the constraints of the insufflated body cavity. The flexible state enables navigation through the constrained space, while the rigid state provides stability for precise instrument manipulation within the maintained work area.
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
Enables flexible navigation and precise placement of surgical instruments within body cavities, reducing the need for extensive incisions and improving access to internal sites while maintaining the insufflated state.
Implementation Method 1
The conduit is transitionable between first and second states. The conduit includes spiral segments, where each spiral segment is engaged with an adjacent spiral segment such that the conduit has a flexible configuration in the first state and a fixed configuration in the second state. A valve assembly is coupled to the housing and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the annular lumen and attachable to a source of fluid.
Implementation Method 2
each of the first and second portions may have a generally C-shaped cross-sectional configuration. In aspects, the first portion of each spiral segment may be slidable with respect to the second portion of the adjacent spiral segment such that the conduit is in the first state
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical access device includes a housing having a tubular member extending therefrom. The tubular member has inner and outer walls defining an annular lumen therebetween. A passageway extends between proximal and distal openings of the tubular member. The passageway is configured to receive a surgical instrument therethrough. A conduit is disposed in the annular lumen and includes spiral segments where each spiral segment is engaged with an adjacent spiral segment. The conduit is flexible in a first state and is fixed in a second state. A valve assembly is coupled to the housing and includes a port that is in fluid communication with the annular lumen. The port is attachable to a source of fluid.