Fluid-Filled Cannula Access for Smoke-Free Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Smoke and vapors generated during minimally invasive surgical procedures using handheld rotary medical devices obstruct visibility, increasing procedure duration and costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular access medical system with a cannula and aspiration port that maintains a fluid environment within the cannula, using detachable segments and dams to retain fluid and prevent smoke, and an aspiration system to manage fluid levels, ensuring clear visibility for surgeons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If handheld rotary medical devices are used to perform surgical procedures, then surgical capability and precision are improved, but smoke and vapors are generated that obstruct visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clear fluid as an intermediary substance that fills the cannula and acts as a barrier between the surgical site and the surgeon's view. This fluid medium prevents smoke and vapors generated by rotary medical devices from reaching the surgeon, thereby maintaining visibility while allowing the use of precision rotary instruments for surgical procedures
2Object-affected harmful factors
If smoke is eliminated by using a fluid-filled cannula system, then visibility is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is divided into multiple detachable segments that can be coupled together to form the complete fluid-filled channel. This segmentation allows the system to maintain the visibility benefit while enabling easier assembly, sterilization, and adaptation to different surgical needs, thereby managing system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid-filled cannula system serves multiple functions: it eliminates smoke obstruction, provides a stable surgical channel, allows for instrument insertion, and enables fluid management. By integrating these functions into a single system architecture, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable segments are used to form the cannula, then adaptability and ease of sterilization are improved, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable segments incorporate self-aligning and self-sealing connection features that automatically ensure proper mating when segments are coupled. This self-service mechanism maintains connection reliability while preserving the adaptability benefits of detachable segments for sterilization and configuration changes
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 enhances surgical visibility by eliminating smoke and vapors, allowing efficient and cost-effective procedures by maintaining a controlled fluid environment within the cannula.
Implementation Method 1
The system increases visibility to an operating surgeon by eliminating smoke and other vapors formed during use of a medical instrument at the surgical site
Implementation Method 2
An aspiration channel may extend from a proximal opening in the aspiration port, through the housing, and terminate at the working channel of the housing, thereby enabling the modular access medical system to maintain the cannula formed by the detachable segment full of fluid during use
Data Source
AI summary
A modular access medical system configured to enable a surgeon to conduct a medical procedure in fluid contained within a defined space is disclosed. As such, the system increases visibility to an operating surgeon by eliminating smoke and other vapors formed during use of a medical instrument at the surgical site. The modular access medical system may be formed from a distal end of a cannula configured to be placed into contact with tissue such that fluid can be administered within the cannula and retained therein to facilitate a surgical procedure to be conducted via one or more instruments extending through fluid contained within the cannula.