Laparoscopic Cannula with Archimedes Screw Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
During minimally invasive surgeries like laparoscopic surgery, suction alone is often ineffective in rapidly removing tissue debris such as blood clots, which can get trapped in standard cannulas, obstructing the surgical field.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device combining an electrode tool and an Archimedes screw within a cannula, where the electrode tool is movable between advanced and retracted positions, and the Archimedes screw is rotatable to convey debris towards the proximal end, facilitated by vacuum pressure from a vacuum source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If suction alone is used to remove tissue debris through a standard cannula, then the cannula maintains its standardized size and structure, but tissue debris such as blood clots gets trapped in the cannula and suction becomes ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines suction mechanism with an Archimedes screw conveyor within the same cannula assembly. The screw mechanism actively transports tissue debris toward the proximal end while suction removes it, creating a synergistic effect that overcomes the limitation of suction alone and prevents clot trapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The Archimedes screw acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the tissue debris and the suction force. It converts rotational motion into axial transport of debris, bridging the gap between the surgical field and the suction source, and enabling effective removal of materials that suction alone cannot handle.
2Ease of operation
If the electrode tool is always positioned outside the cannula for tissue energization, then tissue treatment is efficient, but the distal end of the cannula cannot approach the tissue closely
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode tool is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to move between retracted and extended positions along the cannula axis. This dynamic configuration enables the cannula distal end to approach tissue closely when the electrode is retracted, and then extend for treatment when needed, adapting to different surgical requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode tool is nested within or alongside the Archimedes screw mechanism inside the cannula. This nested arrangement allows the electrode to be stored within the cannula structure when not in use, freeing the distal end for close approach to tissue, while still allowing the electrode to extend outward when treatment is required.
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
Effectively removes tissue debris and blood clots from the surgical field without clogging the cannula, enhancing surgical visibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an Archimedes screw positioned within the cannula and rotatable to transport material in the cannula towards the proximal end of the cannula
Implementation Method 2
a vacuum port that is fluidically connectable to a vacuum source to draw material from the surgical field through the distal end into the cannula
Implementation Method 3
a working end of the electrode tool is outside of the cannula and is energizable to energize tissue in the surgical field
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device which combines cautery and tissue debris conveyance via a combination of suction and an Archimedes screw, the cautery electrode encased within the Archimedes screw, the device comprising a device body housing a motor for rotating the screw, a cannula having an aperture for exposing an instrument, extending from the body portion, and a connector system operatively associated with the body portion, the connector system organized to provide pre-determined relative locations of connection for operably connecting the cannula, a cautery electrode and an Archimedes screw to the device body such the cautery electrode tip is positionable outside the aperture of the cannula and the Archimedes screw is disposed within the cannula in a position for conveying tissue entering the cannula via suction.