Magnetic Tissue Suspension via Adjustable Tether
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic tissue suspension systems used in minimally invasive surgical procedures are cumbersome to deploy, difficult to reposition, and challenging to release and remove, limiting their effectiveness in laparoscopic and other minimally invasive surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a tissue grasper attached to a magnetic element and an adjustable tether, introduced through a single shaft, allowing for simplified deployment and positioning, with an external magnet for adjustable magnetic field control to suspend and manipulate tissue structures efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If external magnets are used to suspend and position organs, then the number of ports needed is reduced, but the system becomes cumbersome to deploy and difficult to reposition
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a magnetic element introduced through a port, an external magnet positioned on the skin, and a tether connecting them. This segmentation allows independent positioning and adjustment of each component, simplifying deployment and repositioning while maintaining the benefit of reduced port requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A tether acts as an intermediary between the magnetic element and the external magnet, allowing controlled transmission of magnetic force while enabling easy adjustment and release. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by providing both suspension capability and operational flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic elements are introduced through ports to suspend tissue, then tissue manipulation is enabled, but the system becomes difficult to release and remove
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic suspension system transitions from a static permanent magnet configuration to a dynamic system where the external magnet's position and strength can be adjusted. This allows the magnetic force to be modified during the procedure, enabling easy release by reducing magnetic attraction while maintaining strong suspension when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes adjustable magnetic field strength as a controllable parameter. By changing the magnetic field parameters (strength, position), the system can switch between strong tissue suspension during manipulation and weak or zero attraction during release, resolving the contradiction between manipulation capability and ease of removal.
3Device complexity
If fixed magnets are used for tissue suspension, then simple structure is maintained, but adjustable magnetic field control is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces fixed magnets with adjustable magnetic sources that can change their field strength and position dynamically. This allows the same basic structure to provide both simple suspension when needed and adjustable control when versatility is required, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and field adjustability.
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
The system enables efficient and controlled magnetic suspension and manipulation of tissue structures, reducing the need for multiple ports and improving procedural efficiency by allowing for adjustable magnetic field strength and easy release of the tissue grasper, thereby enhancing surgical precision and reducing tissue compression.
Implementation Method 1
an external magnet used to attract and position the magnetic element in order to in turn position the organ as needed
Implementation Method 2
The magnets could thus perform the role of a tissue grasper without the need to utilize one of the available access ports
Data Source
AI summary
A system for magnetically suspending tissue includes a grasper placement tool, a tissue grasper, a magnetic coupling element, and a tether which secures the magnetic coupling element to the tissue grasper. The grasper placement tool is used to simultaneously introduce both the tissue grasper and the magnetic coupling element to a body cavity. The grasper then releases the magnetic coupling element and engages a target tissue structure. The tissue grasper is then detached from the placement tool and a conventional laparoscopic or other grasper is used to engage the magnetic coupling element to an external magnet.