Iris Seal Assembly for Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Gas-Tight Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laparoscopic procedures, there is a need for a seal assembly that allows hand-assisted surgery without compromising abdominal pressure, as existing solutions fail to maintain a gas-tight barrier effectively during hand exchanges.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly featuring an iris seal housed within a seal cap, with a lower and upper seal ring configuration that allows rotational motion, a retractor attachment system, and a ratchet mechanism to control the iris seal's opening and closing, ensuring a gas-tight barrier is maintained.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal assembly is used to maintain abdominal pressure during hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures, then gas-tight barrier is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple seal rings and rotational mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple functional segments: an upper seal ring with first and second seal members, a lower seal ring with third and fourth seal members, and an iris seal. Each segment performs a specific sealing function, allowing the complex gas-tight barrier to be achieved through modular components that can be assembled and disassembled independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly incorporates rotational motion between the upper and lower seal rings, allowing dynamic adjustment of the iris seal between open and closed positions. This dynamic mechanism enables the seal to adapt between hand insertion and sealed states, maintaining reliability while providing operational flexibility.
2Ease of operation
If the iris seal is made rotatable between open and closed orientations, then ease of operation is improved for hand insertion, but device complexity increases due to the rotational mechanism and multiple seal rings
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower seal rings are designed to rotate relative to each other, enabling the iris seal to dynamically transition between open and closed orientations. This rotational capability allows surgeons to easily insert their hands when needed while automatically sealing when the rings are in the closed position, improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The iris seal acts as an intermediary element between the upper and lower seal rings, mediating the sealing function while allowing rotational motion. This intermediary component simplifies the overall mechanism by providing a single rotating element that controls both opening and closing actions without requiring separate actuators.
3Reliability
If multiple seal members are used in the upper and lower seal rings, then gas-tight barrier is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to the number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple independent seal members (first, second, third, and fourth seal members) positioned at different locations on the upper and lower seal rings. Each seal member can be manufactured and tested separately before assembly, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the gas-tight barrier through distributed sealing points.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal members are constructed as flexible elements that can be molded or extruded as single pieces, reducing assembly complexity. These flexible seals can be pre-formed during manufacturing and then installed as complete units, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining effective sealing through their elastic properties.
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 seal assembly effectively prevents loss of abdominal insufflation during hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures by creating a reliable gas-tight barrier around the surgeon's hand or instruments, allowing for safe and efficient hand exchanges.
Implementation Method 1
a spring biasing the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring
Implementation Method 2
a ratchet mechanism controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring
Implementation Method 3
the iris seal is composed of a rubber like material
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures includes a seal cap having an iris seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion, wherein the iris seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The seal assembly also includes a retractor extending from the seal cap.