Foam-Supported Multi-Port Access for Flexible Sealed Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical access devices lack flexibility and versatility in port sizes, limiting their applicability in minimally invasive procedures, especially for trans-anal surgeries, and do not provide adequate sealing during instrument insertion and withdrawal.
Innovation Solution
A multi-port access device with a flexible support made of foam material, allowing relative angular movement of access ports, and a rigid body with a seal mechanism to accommodate various surgical instruments, ensuring gas-tight sealing during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid access device housing is used, then structural strength and stability are improved, but flexibility for positioning surgical instruments is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The access device is divided into distinct segments: a rigid housing portion providing structural strength, and a flexible support portion enabling positioning flexibility. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specialized function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the access device have different mechanical properties - the housing is rigid for strength while the support is flexible for positioning. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between overall structural strength and localized flexibility needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple access ports are integrated into a single housing, then device versatility is improved, but cleaning effectiveness and bacterial elimination are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The access device separates the housing containing multiple ports from the support structure, creating distinct cleaning zones. This segmentation allows sterilization solutions to effectively reach all surfaces without being hindered by integrated complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible support with access ports can be separated from the rigid housing for independent cleaning and sterilization. This extraction allows thorough cleaning of each component without the complications of integrated designs where cleaning solutions cannot reach all surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If access ports extend distally in the support, then ease of instrument introduction is improved, but support flexibility and positioning capability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The access ports are positioned at the interface between the rigid housing and flexible support, creating a functional segmentation. This allows the proximal portion to maintain flexibility for positioning while the distal port openings remain accessible for instrument introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The access ports are oriented to extend in multiple directions from the support structure, utilizing three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This dimensional approach allows ports to be accessible for instrument introduction while the support itself maintains flexibility through its ability to bend and position in various orientations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An access device for surgical procedures includes an end cap having a rigid body with a flexible support sealingly mounted to the rigid body with at least one separate access port for accommodating introduction of individual surgical instruments into a body of a patient. The at least one access port is sealingly attached to the flexible support and extend in a proximal direction therefrom. The flexible support is of a material more flexible than those of the rigid body and the at least one access port to provide for relative angular movement of the at least one access port to provide flexibility for positioning surgical instruments introduced through the at least one access port.