Laparoscopic Instrument Holder With Surgeon-Oriented Handle Grooves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laparoscopic instrument holders make it difficult for surgeons to quickly and intuitively retrieve the desired instruments during surgery, especially when multiple instruments are required or when there are frequent instrument exchanges.

Innovation Solution

A laparoscopic instrument holder with instrument ports featuring downward grooves to orient handles towards the surgeon, leg curves for stability, and D-shaped ports for energy instruments, along with angled guides and transparent windows for easy identification and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional instrument holders are used, then instruments can be stored during surgery, but it becomes difficult for surgeons to quickly and intuitively retrieve the desired instruments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of instrument retrievalVSAvoidtime for instrument exchange

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument holder pre-positions multiple instruments in designated ports with handles oriented toward the surgeon before surgery begins. This preliminary arrangement allows the surgeon to quickly retrieve the next required instrument without searching or repositioning, directly reducing instrument exchange time and improving retrieval ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a new spatial dimension by extending the instrument holder toward the surgeon's position, with ports arranged to present handles in the surgeon's direction of view and reach. This dimensional reorganization transforms the retrieval process from a time-consuming search to an intuitive grab operation, simultaneously improving ease of operation and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple instruments are held in traditional holders, then surgical functions are comprehensive, but handle entanglement occurs and identification becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of instruments heldVSAvoidease of instrument identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument holder divides multiple instruments into separate, dedicated ports rather than allowing them to cluster together. Each port is a distinct compartment that maintains instrument separation, preventing handle entanglement while accommodating multiple instruments. This segmentation enables comprehensive surgical functionality without compromising identification ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each instrument port is designed with specific local characteristics including downward grooves for handle orientation and transparent windows for tip visualization. These localized quality enhancements ensure that every instrument position provides optimal identification and access, maintaining ease of operation even when holding multiple diverse instruments for comprehensive surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If instruments are stored in traditional holders, then storage is provided, but handles become misoriented and entangled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of instruments storedVSAvoidhandle orientation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument holder employs asymmetric port design with each port featuring a downward groove positioned to receive and orient the instrument handle in a specific direction toward the surgeon. This asymmetric configuration ensures consistent handle orientation across all stored instruments, preventing entanglement while maintaining the ability to store multiple instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Reliability

If instrument ports are closed, then sterility is maintained, but visibility of instrument tips is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidvisibility of instrument tips

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument holder incorporates transparent or translucent window materials in the port walls, allowing visual observation of instrument tips while maintaining the closed, sterile environment. This optical property modification enables simultaneous achievement of sterility maintenance and tip visibility, eliminating the need to open ports for visualization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

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 convenient and ergonomic storage and retrieval of laparoscopic instruments, reducing entanglement and improving surgical efficiency by ensuring handles are aligned and visible, while maintaining sterility and stability during surgery.

Implementation Method 1

a downward groove (also referred to as a "gutter" or a "notch") configured to receive and hold a handle of a laparoscopic hand instrument resting in the port (due to gravity, i.e., gravity pushes the handle down into the groove and resists the handle moving out)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250302569A1Apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 JB SURGICAL PTY LTD

AI summary

An apparatus including:one or more instrument ports configured to hold respectively one or more laparoscopic instruments during surgery,wherein a top opening of each instrument port includes a downward groove configured to receive and hold a handle of a laparoscopic hand instrument resting in the port such that the handle is oriented towards a surgeon during use.