Insufflation Retention Device Sealing for Laparoscopic Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Insufflation material leakage occurs when introducing a probe into a body cavity due to ineffective sealing at the body aperture, particularly in cases with congenital malformations or scar tissue, limiting the operator's ability to perform diagnostic or therapeutic interventions.
Innovation Solution
An insufflation retention device (IRD) with internal and external buttresses that expand using insufflation material to form seals within the body cavity and aperture, preventing the probe's removal and maintaining insufflation, comprising a midportion that couples the buttresses and forms additional seals to retain the material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a probe is inserted into a body cavity through a body aperture, then diagnostic or therapeutic interventions can be performed, but insufflation material leaks due to ineffective sealing at the aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The insufflation retention device is divided into multiple functional segments: an internal buttress portion that expands within the body cavity, an external buttress portion that remains outside the body, and a midportion connecting them. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific sealing function independently, with the internal portion sealing against the body cavity wall and the external portion sealing against the body aperture, thereby preventing insufflation material leakage while enabling probe insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device applies different structural characteristics to different portions: the internal buttress portion is designed to expand within the body cavity to form a seal, while the external buttress portion is designed to seal against the body aperture from the outside. The midportion provides structural connection and additional sealing. This local differentiation of structural properties allows effective sealing at multiple locations simultaneously, addressing the leakage problem without compromising probe access.
2Reliability
If the body aperture forms a seal encircling the probe, then insufflation material can be retained, but the seal is ineffective in cases with congenital malformations or scar tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The insufflation retention device acts as an intermediary structure between the probe and the body aperture. Instead of relying solely on the body aperture to form an effective seal (which fails in cases of congenital malformations or scar tissue), the device introduces an artificial sealing mechanism that can adapt to various anatomical conditions. The external buttress portion seals against the body aperture while the internal buttress portion seals within the body cavity, creating a reliable barrier that works regardless of the underlying anatomical abnormalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the sealing parameters by introducing expandable buttress portions that can adapt their size and shape to match the body cavity and aperture dimensions. The internal buttress portion expands within the body cavity to form a seal, while the external buttress portion seals against the body aperture. This parameter adaptation allows the device to maintain effective sealing even when the body aperture has abnormal characteristics such as congenital malformations or scar tissue.
3Reliability
If the insufflation retention device forms seals at multiple locations, then material retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insufflation retention device merges multiple sealing functions into a single integrated structure. The internal buttress portion, external buttress portion, and midportion are combined into one device that performs multiple sealing actions simultaneously. The internal portion seals against the body cavity wall, the external portion seals against the body aperture, and the midportion provides structural connection and additional sealing. This merging of functions reduces the need for multiple separate devices or complex assembly procedures, thereby managing device complexity while achieving reliable material retention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A probe may be inserted into a body cavity to perform diagnostic intervention(s), therapeutic intervention(s), or both. The probe may be inserted through a body aperture that is naturally occurring or man-made, intentionally or by accident. The body aperture may form a seal encircling the probe so that insufflation retention material may be effectively retained in the body cavity so that an operator can perform the intervention(s). However, there may be leakage of the insufflation material. The insufflation retention device is configured to form an effective seal contactingly adjacent the body aperture and to provide a passageway for the introduction of the probe into the body cavity, such that a diagnostic intervention or therapeutic intervention or both may be performed.