Abdominal Insufflator Cannula with Inclined Tip
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Veress needle used in laparoscopy often results in subcutaneous emphysema, pneumo-omentum, and risk of injury to intra-abdominal structures due to misplacement during abdominal insufflation, leading to uncertainty and complications in surgical procedures, especially in obese patients.
Innovation Solution
An abdominal insufflator system comprising a hollow cannula with an inclined tip and a plunger, along with a catheter for safe and controlled gas insufflation, which allows for precise alignment and insertion to avoid internal organs, ensuring accurate pneumo-peritoneum without the need for open laparoscopy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If Veress needle is used for abdominal insufflation, then the procedure can be performed without open laparoscopy, but subcutaneous emphysema and pneumo-omentum occur due to misplacement
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separate functional components: a cannula for insertion, a plunger for controlled gas delivery, and a catheter for gas flow. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving placement accuracy and reducing complications while maintaining minimally invasive benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter acts as an intermediary element between the plunger and the abdominal cavity. It provides a controlled pathway for gas insufflation, ensuring accurate delivery while preventing direct injection into subcutaneous tissues or omentum, thereby eliminating harmful effects associated with Veress needle misplacement
2Speed
If Veress needle insertion is performed, then quick access to abdominal cavity is achieved, but risk of injury to intra-abdominal structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula is pre-loaded with the plunger and catheter assembly before insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that all components are in correct positions and ready for immediate controlled deployment, enabling quick access while maintaining safety through pre-verified component alignment and positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter serves as a protective intermediary that guides gas flow away from vulnerable structures. Its flexible design and controlled extension allow rapid insufflation while the catheter tip can be positioned safely within the abdominal cavity, preventing direct contact between the insertion device and intra-abdominal organs
3Measurement precision
If multiple testing maneuvers are performed to verify needle placement, then placement accuracy is improved, but procedure time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates self-verifying features through its design: the aligned cannula-plunger-catheter assembly inherently indicates correct placement through its mechanical configuration. The catheter's ability to extend freely and the plunger's controlled operation provide built-in confirmation of proper positioning, eliminating the need for multiple external testing maneuvers while maintaining high placement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Placement verification is built into the insertion process itself through the pre-configured aligned components. The mechanical alignment of the cannula, plunger, and catheter provides immediate visual and tactile confirmation of correct positioning during insertion, allowing rapid verification without separate testing steps
4Ease of operation
If Veress needle is used, then minimally invasive approach is maintained, but uncertainty and doubt during insufflation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides immediate feedback through its mechanical design: the aligned cannula-plunger-catheter assembly offers tactile confirmation during insertion, and the controlled gas flow through the catheter provides visual and pressure feedback that confirms proper placement. This built-in feedback system eliminates uncertainty while maintaining the minimally invasive approach
Solution Approach 2:
The self-aligning mechanical components provide inherent confirmation of correct placement and function. The plunger's engagement with the catheter and the cannula's positioning create a self-verifying system that gives the operator confidence in proper placement without requiring external verification, thereby improving reliability while maintaining minimal invasiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A hollow plastic cannula with plunger having a funnel shape entrance at one side and a sharp slant cut on the other. A hollow polyethylene catheter is shaped to fit within the cannula once inserted in the abdomen. The present invention is a means of performing an error-free abdominal insufflation for Laparoscopic procedures.