Tubular Intestinal Access Apparatus for Tumor Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for accessing the abdominal cavity and removing larger cancerous tumors are inadequate, as they often pull in unintended intestinal folds due to lack of variable pressure control, obstructing camera views and being unsuitable for handling large tissue.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a tubular body and inflatable clamp mechanism that allows controlled access to the abdominal cavity by clamping and cutting the intestine, enabling the removal of larger tumors through a vacuum-assisted system, and reattaching the intestine for minimally invasive procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vacuum is applied to draw intestine into the tube, then the intestine can be pulled into the tubular housing, but unintended folds of surrounding intestines are also pulled in, obstructing camera views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies vacuum selectively to specific regions through multiple openings at different locations along the tubular housing. Different openings can apply different vacuum levels to different intestinal segments, allowing the surgeon to draw only the intended intestine into the tube while leaving surrounding folds outside, thus maintaining clear camera views.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs variable vacuum control where the vacuum level can be dynamically adjusted during the procedure. By modulating the vacuum strength, the system can adapt to different intestinal segments and tissue types, ensuring precise extraction of the target intestine without inadvertently pulling in surrounding tissue that would block the camera view.
2Productivity
If vacuum is applied to remove tumors, then cancerous tissue can be extracted, but larger tumors cannot be effectively handled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tumor removal process into segments: first extracting the intestine containing the tumor, then manipulating the tumor within the controlled environment of the tube. For large tumors, the system allows分段 removal or compression of the tumor into smaller pieces that can be extracted through the tube, maintaining productivity while adapting to different tumor sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the intestine is drawn into the tubular housing, and the tumor is subsequently manipulated within this nested configuration. For large tumors, additional nested components or collapsible structures may be used to compress and contain the tumor, enabling extraction of tumors of varying sizes through the same apparatus.
3Ease of operation
If intestine is inflated inside the tube during extraction, then the intestine can be drawn into the tube, but the view of cameras is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial inflation rather than complete inflation of the intestine. By controlling the amount of air introduced, the system provides just enough distension to facilitate smooth extraction of the intestine into the tube, while avoiding excessive inflation that would cause the intestine to expand and block the camera view. This partial action optimizes both extraction ease and visual access.
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
Facilitates safe and effective access to the abdominal cavity for tumor removal by minimizing tissue damage and preventing cancer spread, while allowing for precise surgical intervention and reattachment of intestinal sections.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source operably engaged with the elongate tubular housing for providing a vacuum within the elongate tubular housing for drawing the damaged or diseased portion of a luminal body, such as an intestine, into the tubular housing
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is provided for accessing an abdominal cavity of a patient via the anus for any number of surgical operations, e.g., colon cancer, appendectomy, lymph node biopsy, etc. The apparatus includes a tubular body that extends to an open end having a plurality of holes. The tubular body is inserted into the intestine of the patient, and a clamp is inserted through the tubular body of the apparatus and into the intestine. The clamp and the attached intestine is then pulled into the tubular body, so that the intestine can then be cut. The clamp and the adjacent intestine are then moved out of the tubular body so that the surgery may be performed through the intestine. The cut ends of the intestine can then be reattached (e.g., stapled, sutured, etc.) following completion of the surgery.