Laparoscopic Protective Membrane Assembly for Tissue Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgery poses challenges with limited depth perception, haptic feedback, and risk of tissue injury due to confined operating space and limited ability to retract obstructing tissues.
Innovation Solution
A flexible membrane with a connector and expandable body, designed for partial insertion into the body, provides a protective barrier for tissues during surgery, allowing for improved tissue protection and reduced risk of injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective device is placed in the surgical pathway between the RF generator and the patient, then safety is improved by blocking stray RF energy, but device complexity increases and the surgical pathway is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into multiple functional zones: an outer shield portion made of conductive material to block RF energy, and an inner non-conductive portion to maintain electrical isolation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently while reducing overall complexity compared to a monolithic design.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device acts as an intermediary component placed between the RF generator return electrode and the patient. It mediates the RF energy flow by providing a controlled pathway that blocks stray energy while allowing necessary electrical connections, thus protecting against unintended RF exposure without completely obstructing the surgical pathway.
2Reliability
If a protective device is placed in the surgical pathway, then safety is improved by preventing RF burns, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to obstruction of the surgical pathway
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device incorporates flexible and adjustable components that can be dynamically positioned and configured during surgery. The device can be adapted to fit different surgical scenarios and patient anatomies, allowing surgeons to maintain ease of operation while ensuring continuous protection. The dynamic adjustability ensures the device does not become a rigid obstruction but rather a flexible safeguard.
3Reliability
If the protective device blocks stray RF energy, then safety is improved, but heat generation increases which may cause burns
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device utilizes materials and design parameters that minimize RF energy absorption and heat generation. By carefully selecting material properties such as conductivity, thickness, and geometric configuration, the device reflects or redirects RF energy without converting it into harmful heat. This parameter optimization ensures that the device blocks stray RF energy effectively while maintaining safe temperature levels during surgical procedures.
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
Enhances surgical safety by reducing tissue injury risks and improving tissue exposure during minimally invasive procedures, while maintaining flexibility and ease of insertion.
Implementation Method 1
a protective device for use during surgery... comprising a conductive material... blocking stray radio frequency (RF) energy
Implementation Method 2
comprising a conductive material and a nonconductive material... the nonconductive material electrically isolating the RF block from the handle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
A protective assembly for use during laparoscopic surgery, the assembly comprising: a thin membrane formed from non-toxic material, the membrane being sufficiently thin and maneuverable to be passed through a cannula of a trocar; a flexible connector extending from the thin membrane; and an insertable shaft dimensioned to be passed through the cannula wherein a distal portion of the shaft is anchored to the flexible connector.