Hand Assisted Laparoscopic Seal With Ratchet Deflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
During laparoscopic procedures, there is a need for a seal assembly that allows hand-assisted surgery without compromising abdominal pressure, as existing solutions fail to maintain a secure gas-tight barrier during hand exchanges.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly featuring an iris seal housed within a seal cap, with a ratchet mechanism and gear teeth system that allows controlled rotation of upper and lower seal rings to open and close, ensuring a gas-tight barrier while allowing hand access, utilizing a spring fastener and ergonomic design for easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a seal assembly allows hand insertion into the abdominal cavity, then hand-assisted manipulation of instruments is enabled, but abdominal pressure is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly employs dynamic components including rotatable upper and lower seal rings that can rotate relative to each other to open and close the seal, and a spring fastener that provides dynamic locking through gear teeth engagement. This dynamic structure allows the seal to transition between open and closed states while maintaining abdominal pressure when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal assembly acts as an intermediary device between the external environment and the abdominal cavity. It provides a controlled interface that allows hand insertion while maintaining the pressure barrier, using seal rings and a ratchet mechanism to mediate between the need for hand access and pressure maintenance.
2Reliability
If a ratchet mechanism with spring fastener is used to control seal ring rotation, then the seal can be securely locked in open or closed positions, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring fastener mechanism is self-actuating and self-locking. When the upper seal ring is rotated, the spring fastener automatically engages with the gear teeth to lock the position, or can be manually disengaged to allow rotation. This self-service mechanism provides reliable positioning control without requiring complex external actuation systems.
3Ease of operation
If the upper seal ring is made rotatable for opening and closing the seal, then hand access is enabled, but control over seal position becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The ergonomic cover member acts as an intermediary between the user's hand and the upper seal ring. It provides a comfortable gripping surface with contoured outer surface and finger recesses, making it easier to rotate the seal ring while maintaining precise control over the sealing action.
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
The seal assembly effectively maintains abdominal pressure by creating a secure gas-tight barrier around the surgeon's wrist and between the abdominal space and external environment, enabling safe hand-assisted laparoscopic procedures with minimal loss of insufflation.
Implementation Method 1
The spring fastener includes a convex portion between the first end and the second end, and the convex portion is shaped and dimensioned to seat within the series of gear teeth as the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring are moved relative to each other
Implementation Method 2
A ratchet mechanism is provided for controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a seal cap having a seal positioned within a housing. The housing includes a lower seal ring having a track which supports an upper seal ring for relative rotational motion. The seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. A ratchet mechanism is provided for controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring. The ratchet mechanism includes a deflection feature and a series of gear teeth, wherein the series of gear teeth are oriented to engage the deflection feature.