Magnetic Control Assembly for Minimally Invasive Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laparoscopic surgery is limited by the small working envelopes of instruments, requiring multiple incisions to change positions and improve visibility, which increases invasiveness and recovery time for patients.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic control assembly that adjusts the strength of a magnetic field applied to a magnetic device within the body, using a magnet and a force modulation device to manipulate the magnetic device, which can include adjustable shielding and distance adjustment mechanisms to control the magnetic force and minimize tissue pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple incisions are made to improve instrument positioning and visibility, then surgical efficiency and instrument accessibility are improved, but patient invasiveness and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical manipulation of laparoscopic instruments through multiple incisions with magnetic field-based remote manipulation. A magnetic control assembly generates magnetic fields that act on magnetic components within the instrument, enabling positioning and manipulation through a single incision, thereby reducing patient invasiveness while maintaining surgical efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the surgeon's control and the instrument's movement. The magnetic control assembly acts as a mediator that translates surgeon inputs into precise instrument positioning within the body cavity, eliminating the need for multiple physical access points
2Measurement precision
If magnetic field strength is increased to improve manipulation precision, then instrument control precision is improved, but tissue pressure and potential damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of magnetic field strength through a force modulation device that can vary the field intensity in real-time. This allows the system to apply stronger magnetic forces for precise positioning when needed, while reducing force during manipulation phases to minimize tissue pressure, creating a dynamic balance between control precision and tissue safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the magnetic field parameter (strength/intensity) as a control variable. By modulating the magnetic field strength through the force modulation device, the system can optimize the balance between achieving sufficient manipulation precision and maintaining tissue pressure within safe limits, adapting the field parameters to the specific surgical task at hand
3Stress or pressure
If force modulation device is added to control magnetic field strength, then tissue pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force modulation device serves multiple functions: it controls magnetic field strength, modulates force applied to the instrument, regulates tissue pressure, and enables precise positioning. By consolidating these functions into a single device within the magnetic control assembly, the patent manages complexity while achieving comprehensive force control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the magnet, force modulation device, and control mechanisms into an integrated magnetic control assembly. This merging of components allows for coordinated control of magnetic field strength and force modulation, managing system complexity through integration while maintaining the capability to control tissue pressure effectively
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 minimally invasive surgery with reduced invasiveness and recovery time by allowing precise manipulation of instruments within the body using external magnetic control, potentially reducing the need for multiple incisions and improving surgical efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field and apply a magnetic force to the magnetic device
Implementation Method 2
the adjustable shielding device may comprise an iris assembly. The iris assembly may comprise a plurality of leaflets formed from a magnetic shielding material
Implementation Method 3
the force modulation device may comprise a distance adjustment device configured to modify a distance between the magnet and the magnetic device
Data Source
AI summary
Described here are devices and systems for applying an adjustable strength magnetic field to a magnetic device located within the body. In some variations, the devices may comprise a force modulation device comprising an adjustable shielding device. In other variations, the devices may comprise a force modulation device comprising a distance adjustment device. In some variations, the force modulation device may be adjusted by an automated control mechanism based on information from a sensor in the magnetic device.