Instrument Port with Fluid Flow Gap for Emboli Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally invasive cardiac procedures face challenges with limited access and instrument maneuverability due to small port sizes, increased risk of emboli introduction, and reduced tactile sensation for surgeons, necessitating a solution to prevent air entry into the heart during surgery and minimize blood loss.

Innovation Solution

An instrument port with a fluid flow mechanism to remove emboli, an instrument sleeve for secure instrument placement, and a tissue anchoring mechanism, designed to fit within existing imaging systems, allowing for efficient flushing and secure anchoring during minimally invasive procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If small diameter ports are used for minimally invasive surgery, then incisional trauma is limited and recovery time is reduced, but instrument maneuverability is restricted and the risk of emboli introduction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincisional traumaVSAvoidinstrument maneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument port system employs nested structures where an outer port provides access and an inner sleeve with instrument channel is inserted within it. This nested arrangement allows the instrument channel to be positioned precisely while the outer port maintains sealing and provides structural support, enabling complex instrument manipulation through a minimally invasive access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the port and the surgical instrument. It provides a sealed interface that allows instrument passage while preventing emboli entry, and its ability to slide within the port enables dynamic adjustment of instrument access without compromising the sealed environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If small diameter ports are used, then incisional trauma is reduced, but the ability to manipulate tissue is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincisional traumaVSAvoidtactile sensation loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument sleeve is constructed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that can deform to accommodate instrument insertion and removal while maintaining a sealed interface. This flexibility allows the sleeve to conform to the port geometry and instrument shape, providing tactile feedback transmission while preventing air emboli passage through the sealed interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple ports are used to increase access, then surgical capability is improved, but the risk and incidence of complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical capabilityVSAvoidcomplication risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument port system is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different surgical instruments through a single access point. The instrument sleeve can be exchanged to allow different instruments to pass through the same sealed port, providing multi-functional access while eliminating the need for multiple separate port insertions, thereby reducing complication risks associated with multiple punctures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a sealed port system is used to prevent emboli, then patient safety is improved, but instrument insertion and removal becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemboli preventionVSAvoidinstrument insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument sleeve is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to slide freely within the port during instrument insertion and removal. The sleeve maintains a sealed interface with the port throughout this dynamic process, enabling instrument exchange while preserving the emboli-prevention seal. The system transitions from a static sealed port to a dynamically adaptable sealed system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 instrument port effectively prevents air embolism, reduces blood loss, and enhances surgical precision by ensuring clear visualization and secure instrument placement, facilitating safer and more effective minimally invasive cardiac procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid flow mechanism for removing emboli efficiently from the instrument port, wherein the fluid flow mechanism creates the gap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Data Source

PatentUS11065036B2Instrument port for minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 CHILDRENS MEDICAL CENT CORP

AI summary

An instrument port for introducing instruments into a surgical site, including a port body having a channel running therethrough from a proximal end to a distal end, an instrument sleeve in slidable contact with the channel, creating a gap therebetween, and fluid flow for removing emboli efficiently from the instrument port, wherein the fluid flow includes the gap is provided. A fluid flow system for use in an instrument port is provided. A method of removably securing an instrument sleeve to a port body by anchoring the instrument port to heart tissue, making at least one flood line in a channel, flushing out emboli, and performing surgery with the instrument port.