Flexible Surgical Access Port with Expandable Dome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical access ports lack flexibility in instrument size selection and restrict instrument movement due to their rigid cannulas, limiting the range of motion and number of instruments that can be used in minimally invasive procedures.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access port design featuring a cannula with a retainer for secure insertion and an expandable dome at the end to accommodate multiple instruments, allowing for translational and angular degrees of freedom, and a self-sealing mechanism to maintain gas pressure during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid or semi-rigid cannula is used in the access port, then structural support and stability are improved, but instrument movement freedom and range of motion are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can adapt its shape. The memory wire provides elastic recovery force while the braided reinforcement maintains structural integrity, allowing the cannula to bend and flex with instrument movement while returning to its original shape, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and movement freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula employs a flexible construction using a braided reinforcement layer over a memory wire core, creating a structure that is both supple and structurally sound. This flexible shell approach allows the cannula to conform to movement requirements while maintaining necessary structural support, addressing the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility
2Quantity of substance
If multiple fixed cannulas are provided in the access port, then the number of instruments that can be inserted is increased, but flexibility in selecting instrument size and range of motion are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cannula serves multiple functions: it can accommodate instruments of varying sizes, allow wide ranges of motion, and adapt to different surgical requirements. By making the cannula itself adaptable rather than providing multiple fixed-size cannulas, the system achieves versatility while maintaining the capability to handle multiple instruments simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula's physical parameters (shape, bending radius, orientation) can be dynamically changed during surgery to accommodate different instrument sizes and movement requirements. This parameter adaptability allows a single cannula design to replace multiple fixed configurations, resolving the contradiction between quantity and versatility
3Length of moving object
If the cannula diameter is reduced to minimize incision size, then minimally invasive benefits are improved, but the range of motion and instrument accessibility are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible cannula with memory wire construction allows for dynamic deformation and recovery, enabling instruments to achieve wide ranges of motion even through a small incision. The cannula can bend and flex to accommodate instrument movement while maintaining a small profile at the incision site, resolving the contradiction between incision size and range of motion
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical access ports useful in minimally invasive surgical procedures are provided. The access ports comprise a cannula that defines a passageway for one or more surgical instruments through a tissue tract and a dome extending from the cannula to provide an expanded diameter for receiving one or more surgical instruments.