Laparoscopic Tool Shaft Rigidity via Composite Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Laparoscopic tool shafts are often too flexible, limiting surgeon control and causing bending issues during procedures, while thin shafts are advantageous for minimizing tissue damage but may not provide sufficient rigidity for precise manipulation.

Innovation Solution

Enhancing the rigidity of laparoscopic tool shafts through strategic placement of electrical insulation, use of reinforcing sheaths, non-cylindrical shaft designs, and adjustable segment configurations to improve resistance to bending and control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If thin shafts are used to minimize tissue damage, then tissue trauma is reduced and healing is faster, but shaft rigidity deteriorates causing bending issues and reduced surgeon control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damageVSAvoidshaft rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shaft employs a composite structure combining a flexible outer shaft made of biocompatible polymer material with an internal rigid rod. This composite design allows the thin external shaft to minimize tissue damage while the internal rod provides the necessary rigidity for precise control during surgical procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The shaft is divided into distinct segments: a flexible outer shaft portion and an internal rigid rod portion. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the outer shaft for minimal tissue intrusion and the inner rod for structural rigidity and control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If shaft rigidity is increased to improve surgeon control, then manipulation precision is improved, but the shaft becomes less flexible making it difficult to navigate through trocars and position near the surgical site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgeon controlVSAvoidshaft flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the shaft have different mechanical properties - the outer shaft is designed to be flexible to navigate through trocars and reach the surgical site, while the internal rod is rigid to provide surgeon control and manipulation precision. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and rigidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If electrical insulation is strategically placed on the shaft, then electrical safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidshaft structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical insulation layer is merged with the shaft structure itself rather than being a separate component. The biocompatible polymer material forming the outer shaft also serves as the electrical insulation, providing both mechanical flexibility and electrical safety without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10582940B2Rigid and flexible laparoscopic tool shafts and methods using same

Publication Date: 2020.03.10 TELEFLEX MEDICAL LLC

AI summary

Laparoscopic tool shafts and devices and methods for enhancing their rigidity in general or in specific directions are provided. Laparoscopic tool shafts having rigid external shafts and relatively rigid rods and laparoscopic tool shafts having flexible external shafts and relatively rigid rods are also provided.