Iris Valve Control Ring Ratchet Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current access devices for endoscopic surgery, such as trocars and hand access devices, lack an efficient and adjustable iris valve mechanism to maintain pneumoperitoneum while allowing for surgeon manipulation, leading to challenges in sealing insufflatory fluid and maintaining optimal surgical conditions.
Innovation Solution
An access device with an adjustable iris valve featuring a resilient diaphragm, radially extending flange portions, and a lock mechanism using a control ring and ratchet-pawl mechanism to control the iris valve's opening and closing, ensuring effective sealing and adjustable passage sizes for surgical instruments or hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing valve is used in trocars to prevent insufflatory fluid escape, then pneumoperitoneum is maintained, but the device lacks adjustability for different surgical instruments and hands
Solution Approach 1:
The iris valve employs a dynamic design where the diaphragm can be adjusted to different opening diameters using a control ring with ratchet-pawl mechanism. This allows the valve to adapt between fully closed (for sealing) and various open positions (for different instrument sizes or hand passage), resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve controls the parameter of passage diameter through incremental adjustment. The ratchet-pawl mechanism enables stepwise changes in the opening size, allowing the same device to maintain sealing when closed and provide appropriate aperture sizes for different surgical instruments or hand access during HALS procedures.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-size sealing valve is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the device cannot accommodate varying surgical needs for different instrument sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The control ring is divided into multiple discrete positions corresponding to different opening diameters. This segmentation allows the valve to offer multiple aperture sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using conventional techniques, balancing ease of manufacture with adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve transitions from a fixed-size design to a dynamically adjustable one through the ratchet-pawl mechanism. This mechanical adjustment system enables passage size variability without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple separate valves, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while achieving versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable iris valve mechanism is implemented, then adaptability for different instruments is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a purely mechanical ratchet-pawl control system instead of electronic or hydraulic mechanisms. This substitution keeps the device complexity manageable while achieving adjustable passage sizes, as mechanical components are well-understood and can be integrated into existing access device structures without requiring complex control systems.
4Measurement precision
If the iris valve is made fully adjustable with multiple positions, then surgical precision is enhanced, but the lock mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ratchet-pawl lock mechanism provides precise positioning through discrete mechanical stops corresponding to different opening diameters. This mechanical approach achieves surgical precision for opening size control while keeping the lock mechanism relatively simple and reliable, avoiding the need for complex electronic sensors or actuators.
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 device maintains pneumoperitoneum effectively by sealing insufflatory fluid and allowing adjustable access for surgical instruments or hands, enhancing surgical precision and safety through precise control of the iris valve's opening and closing.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable iris valve (20) having an opened position and a closed position... a resilient diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
a lock mechanism... comprising a ratchet (133) and a pawl (155)
Implementation Method 3
A spring (157) biases the pawl (155) to engage the ratchet (133)
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscopic surgical access device comprises a first frame and a second frame having relative axial positions. A flexible and resilient iris valve is connected to the first and second frames and has a closed position and an opened position based on the relative angular position of the first and second frames. A lock is connected to the first and second frames, the lock being selectively operative to prevent relative rotational movement in a first rotational direction. One embodiment uses a ratchet and pawl mechanism operable with a control ring. Another embodiment uses a ratchet and pawl mechanism operable with a button. Yet another embodiment uses a wedge track and ball mechanism.