Laparoscopic Suction Head Articulation for Safe Tissue Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for lifting tissue during laparoscopic surgery, such as using manual grasping or devices like LapDome, are either cumbersome, limit surgical technique flexibility, or pose risks of injury and discomfort due to the need for pneumoperitoneum creation and vascular exposure.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device with a handle, stem, and suction head that utilizes negative pressure to lift tissue, allowing for secure elevation and flexible insertion techniques without the need for pneumoperitoneum, featuring a valve for controlling suction and an articulating joint for optimal contact with the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual grasping or towel clips are used to lift the abdominal wall, then tissue elevation is achieved, but the risk of injury to underlying structures and postoperative discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical grasping or towel clip mechanical systems with a suction-based system. The suction head applies negative pressure to elevate the abdominal wall, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact that could injure underlying structures. This substitution reduces trauma while maintaining effective tissue elevation for safe trocar insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction head acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's manipulation and the abdominal wall. Instead of directly grasping or clipping the tissue, the suction head mediates the elevation process through controlled negative pressure, providing a safer interface that reduces direct trauma to the abdominal wall and underlying structures.
2Ease of operation
If pneumoperitoneum is created to facilitate trocar insertion, then surgical access is improved, but patient discomfort and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The suction head performs preliminary tissue elevation before trocar insertion, creating the necessary surgical access without requiring pneumoperitoneum. By pre-elevating the abdominal wall through suction, the surgeon gains adequate exposure for safe instrument placement, eliminating the need for complex gas insufflation procedures and associated delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tissue elevation function from the pneumoperitoneum process. Instead of relying on gas insufflation to create working space, the suction head directly elevates the abdominal wall, separating the access preparation step from the pneumoperitoneum creation step and eliminating the need for the latter in many cases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the abdominal wall is elevated manually or with conventional devices, then space for trocar placement is created, but the surgical technique flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The suction head provides a universal tissue elevation mechanism that works effectively across different surgical techniques and patient anatomies. The same suction-based elevation method supports both open and closed insertion techniques, accommodating variations in abdominal wall thickness and elasticity without requiring technique modification or additional devices.
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
Enables safe and efficient tissue lifting, reducing the risk of injury and discomfort, while allowing surgeons to choose between trocar insertion methods, improving the minimally invasive nature of the procedure.
Implementation Method 1
A surgical device with a handle, stem, and suction head that utilizes negative pressure to lift tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device that provides a suction force against a patient's body. The device includes a stem having a proximate end and a distal end, the stem disposed about a channel, a suction head extending from the stem and defining a suction chamber in fluid communication with the channel, the suction head having a contact surface, and an articulating joint disposed between the contact surface of the suction head and the distal end of the stem. The articulating joint may be an annular joint and a living hinge. The surgical device may also include a handle disposed about the channel directly or may be disposed about the stem which is disposed about the channel. The handle may include a plurality of ribs extending outward which form a profile matching a profile of a user's hand.