Jawed Tip Assembly for Trocar Access and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical procedures using trocars and cannulas face challenges due to reduced tactile feedback and field of view, making it difficult for surgeons to navigate and perform tasks within body cavities effectively.
Innovation Solution
A jawed trocar assembly with a hinged jaw mechanism that transitions between a rest and expanded position, allowing for improved access and visibility, coupled with a scope cleaner mechanism to maintain instrument clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trocar assembly is used to provide access to body cavities, then surgical access is enabled, but tactile feedback and field of view are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly is divided into multiple segments including a first jaw and a second jaw that can move independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows the jaws to open and close to grasp instruments while maintaining the ability to provide tactile feedback through the mechanical connection to the shaft, thereby resolving the contradiction between enabling surgical access and preserving tactile feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The jaw assembly is positioned at the distal end of the shaft, extending the functional capability to a new dimension (the distal tip). This allows the trocar to provide both access and instrument manipulation capabilities at the far end of the shaft, improving field of view and tactile feedback at the surgical site without compromising the access function.
2Productivity
If instruments are inserted through the trocar assembly, then surgical tasks can be performed, but debris accumulation on instruments reduces visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The scope cleaner is positioned to preliminarily clean the instrument before it is fully inserted into the body cavity. The cleaner includes a cleaning surface that contacts the instrument as it passes through the jaw assembly, removing debris before the instrument is used for surgical tasks. This preliminary cleaning action maintains visibility without interrupting the surgical workflow.
3Ease of operation
If the jaw assembly is designed to open and close for instrument manipulation, then access and visibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jaw assembly incorporates a dynamic mechanism that allows the first jaw and second jaw to move from a closed position to an open position and back. The jaw assembly includes a pivot point and connecting elements that enable this dynamic motion. This dynamic design allows the jaws to adapt to different instrument sizes and shapes, improving ease of operation while maintaining reasonable device complexity through efficient mechanical design.
Data Source
AI summary
A tip assembly is presented herein. The tip assembly can have a member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the member can be open. The first end also can allows an implement to be inserted. The tip assembly also includes a jaw hingedly coupled to the second end of the member.