Illuminated Trocar with Visual Stylet for Safe Tissue Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic surgery techniques face challenges in safely forming incisions and insufflating body cavities due to blind insertion methods, which can lead to accidental injury of internal organs and vessels.
Innovation Solution
A surgical apparatus featuring a hollow needle with a visualization stylet that includes an electronic photodetector chip and light source for real-time tissue visualization, allowing the needle to be guided safely through tissue layers and preventing accidental cutting once the cavity is reached, while also enabling insufflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If blind insertion method is used, then the procedure is simple and quick, but the risk of injury to internal organs and vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a camera system that provides real-time visual feedback to the surgeon during needle insertion. The camera is positioned at the distal end of the needle and transmits images to a display device, allowing the surgeon to see tissue layers being penetrated and confirm proper placement before insufflation, thereby eliminating the blind insertion risk while maintaining procedural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a camera and display system as an intermediary between the surgeon's action and the actual needle-tissue interaction. This intermediary provides visual information about tissue penetration depth and characteristics, enabling the surgeon to make informed decisions without directly observing the insertion site, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and safety
2Reliability
If visualization components are added to the needle, then surgical safety improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the camera, light source, and needle components into a single integrated assembly. The camera is mounted at the distal end of the needle, and the light source is positioned to illuminate the insertion path, creating a compact visualization system that adds minimal complexity while providing comprehensive visual feedback during the entire insertion process
Solution Approach 2:
The needle assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as both the insertion instrument and the mounting platform for visualization components. The same needle that penetrates tissue also supports the camera and light source, eliminating the need for separate visualization devices and reducing overall system complexity
3Measurement precision
If real-time visualization is provided, then accuracy of tissue penetration detection improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs intermittent or periodic activation of the light source and camera rather than continuous operation. The visualization system can be activated at key moments during insertion (e.g., when approaching tissue layers) and deactivated when not needed, maintaining high detection accuracy while significantly reducing overall energy consumption of the device
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
This solution significantly reduces the risk of injury to internal organs and vessels by providing visual feedback during tissue penetration, ensuring safer incision and insufflation procedures, thereby minimizing complications and enhancing surgical safety.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to project light beyond the electronic photodetector chip in a distal direction to provide direct illumination, wherein light originating from the light source is reflected back to the electronic photodetector chip when the apparatus is traveling through tissue
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides devices and methods for insufflating abdomens of subjects under direct visualization. Such devices and methods, in some implementations, include features for cleaning the devices, and certain implementations of the methods permit procedures wherein it is not necessary to use a typical obturator to place a cannula, resulting in safer procedures.