Laparoscopic Seal Bridge Bypassing Port Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minilaparoscopic surgeries face challenges with limited maneuverability and instrument visibility due to small incisions and fragile needle-like instruments, which complicate dissection and tissue handling, and require complex surgical techniques and expensive articulating instrumentation.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a telescopically introducible elongated sleeve and a seal bridge that bypasses the seal mechanism of a laparoscopic port, allowing secure passage of a needle system from the body cavity to the outer environment, facilitating easier engagement and connection of end-effectors with needle manipulators, thereby enhancing maneuverability and reducing instrument fragility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If small incisions (2-3 mm) are used for minilaparoscopic surgery, then cosmetic results and pain reduction are improved, but instrument maneuverability and dissection capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested structures where needle manipulators with interchangeable end-effectors are inserted through small incisions, and the end-effectors can be detached and replaced. The seal bridge mechanism is nested within the port structure to accommodate these manipulators. This nesting allows standard-sized end-effectors to be delivered through small incisions, combining the cosmetic benefits of small ports with the maneuverability of larger instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical system is segmented into separate components: needle manipulators, interchangeable end-effectors, and a seal bridge mechanism. This segmentation allows the end-effectors to be prepared and attached outside the body, improving safety and ease of operation. The manipulators can be removed and replaced independently, enhancing maneuverability while maintaining small incision benefits.
2Length of moving object
If needle-like instruments are used through small incisions, then instrument size is reduced for better cosmetic results, but instrument strength and resistance to breaking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument system is divided into a thin needle manipulator for insertion and a separate, stronger end-effector for surgical tasks. The end-effectors are attached to the manipulators outside the body, allowing the use of robust surgical instruments while maintaining small incision access. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between thin insertion paths and strong working instruments.
Solution Approach 2:
The end-effectors are nested within or attached to the needle manipulators after insertion. This allows the manipulators to be thin enough for small incisions while the end-effectors provide the necessary strength and functionality for dissection and tissue handling, eliminating the fragility of purely needle-like instruments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If interchangeable end-effectors are attached inside the abdominal cavity, then surgical flexibility is improved, but procedural complexity and risk deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The end-effectors are prepared, selected, and attached to the needle manipulators outside the patient's body before surgery begins. This preliminary action eliminates the risk and complexity of performing attachment procedures inside the abdominal cavity, while still maintaining surgical flexibility through the ability to exchange end-effectors during the procedure by simply removing and replacing the manipulators at the external port.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for passing an end portion of a needle system from a body cavity to an outer environment through a laparoscopic port is provided. The system comprises an elongated Sleeve which comprises a second proximal opening, a second distal opening, a second lumen extending between the second proximal opening and the second distal opening, and a seal provided in the second lumen. The system further comprises a seal bridge which comprises an elongated body. The elongated sleeve is telescopically introducible at a first proximal end, through a first lumen and bypassing a seal mechanism of the laparoscopic port. The seal bridge is adapted to be inserted through the second proximal opening to be deployed in the second lumen and thereby bridging across and/or deactivating the seal of the elongated sleeve.