Rotational Control for Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Seal Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic seal assemblies in hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery often require counter-rotation to disengage locking features, limiting the ease of opening and closing, which can compromise abdominal pressure during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A seal assembly with a ratchet rotational control mechanism and ergonomic cover member, allowing for one-handed operation and automatic closure of the iris seal, enabling unrestricted opening and secure sealing without counter-rotating the iris-tightening ring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is used to secure the seal assembly, then the seal assembly can maintain abdominal pressure, but the operation becomes more complex requiring counter-rotation to disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional locking mechanism by using a ratchet system that allows opening in one rotational direction while preventing closing in the opposite direction. The iris-tightening ring can be rotated to open the seal assembly without requiring counter-rotation to disengage, as the ratchet teeth engage to prevent reverse rotation. This inversion of the locking approach maintains seal integrity while simplifying the opening operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic ratchet mechanism that transitions from a static locking system to a dynamic one-way locking system. The ratchet arm can move freely in the opening direction but engages with ratchet teeth to prevent closing, creating a dynamic control system that adapts to the operational direction. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for counter-rotation while maintaining seal integrity when closed.
2Ease of operation
If a ratchet mechanism is added to control rotation, then ease of opening is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seal assembly into distinct functional components: the iris seal, the iris-tightening ring, the ratchet arm, and the ratchet teeth. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently - the ratchet arm and teeth handle the one-way locking control, while the iris-tightening ring controls the seal opening. This modular segmentation simplifies the overall design by distributing complexity across specialized components rather than requiring a complex integrated mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If manual counter-rotation is required to disengage locking features, then control precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the ratchet mechanism to engage automatically in the closing direction. When the iris-tightening ring is rotated to close the seal assembly, the ratchet arm automatically engages with the ratchet teeth without requiring any disengagement action. This preliminary setup of the one-way locking system eliminates the need for counter-rotation to disengage, reducing operation time while maintaining precise control through the automatic ratchet engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal assembly for permitting hand assisted laparoscopic procedures 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, wherein the seal is supported between the upper seal ring and the lower seal ring for rotation between an open orientation and a closed orientation. The upper seal ring includes a first ring member and a second ring member oriented for movement relative thereto, wherein a latching mechanism is positioned between the first ring member and the second ring member for selectively controlling movement of the first ring member relative to the second ring member. The seal assembly also includes a rotational control mechanism controlling motion of the upper seal ring relative to the lower seal ring.