Laparoscopic Tool with Releasable Robust Tip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laparoscopic surgical tools require large incisions due to their diameter, leading to scarring and postoperative pain, and existing small-diameter tools lack the robustness for effective surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A laparoscopic tool with a 1.6 mm or smaller sheath diameter and a novel docking mechanism that allows a robust, conventional-sized tip to be introduced through a small incision, enabling the tool to be used in a triangulation array without compromising surgical capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional laparoscopic tools with large diameter sheaths are used, then robust surgical capability is achieved, but large incisions are required causing scarring and postoperative pain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical capabilityVSAvoidscarring and postoperative pain

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tool is divided into two separate components: a small-diameter delivery system (sheath with control wire) and a robust tip assembly. The robust tip is delivered separately through a larger incision, while the control mechanism is delivered through a small incision. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control wire is nested within the small-diameter sheath, and the sheath is inserted through the abdominal wall. The robust tip is then engaged with the control wire assembly inside the body. This nested structure allows the control mechanism to pass through the small incision while the robust tip is positioned separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If small-diameter laparoscopic tools are used to reduce incision size, then scarring is reduced, but the tools lack robustness for effective surgical procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovescarringVSAvoidrobustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control wire acts as an intermediary mechanism that transmits actuation forces from the external handle to the robust tip. This allows the small-diameter delivery system to control the large robust tip without compromising either the tip's robustness or the delivery system's small size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a robust tip is introduced through a small incision, then minimal scarring is achieved, but the tip cannot be properly engaged or controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovescarringVSAvoidtip engagement and control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The robust tip is extracted from its packaging or delivery container and engaged with the control wire assembly inside the body. This allows the tip to be positioned separately from the delivery system, enabling proper engagement without constraints from the small incision size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the tip is made retractable within the sheath to enable tool reconfiguration, then versatility is improved, but the tip size is reduced limiting surgical utility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool reconfigurationVSAvoidtip robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control wire is designed to be slideably disposed within the sheath, allowing it to extend and retract. This dynamic configuration enables the control mechanism to accommodate the robust tip when extended while maintaining a compact profile when retracted, preserving both tip robustness and delivery system compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9186167B2Small diameter laparoscopic tool having releasable tip

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY INC

AI summary

A laparoscopy tool includes a sheath and a control wire slideably disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The sheath has a diameter of less than 1.6 mm and is introduced through an abdominal incision. A handle axially displaces the control wire within the lumen and operates a conventional tip with wire-controlled opposing jaws that is introduced through the umbilicus and has a bore formed in its trailing end. A first set of blades in the bore engage grooves formed in the leading end of the control wire and a second set of blades engages the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. A cam displaces the second set of blades away from the sheath for sheath introduction and removal, and toward the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. The tip is removed through the umbilicus and the tool is removed through the abdominal incision when the surgery is completed.