Modular Surgical Seal System for Varying Instrument Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in maintaining a seal around instruments of varying sizes within cannula assemblies, as conventional seal assemblies are often complex, difficult to assemble, and not adaptable to accommodate instruments of different diameters, leading to inefficiencies in procedures like laparoscopy.
Innovation Solution
A surgical seal system comprising a seal assembly mountable to a cannula housing and an adapter assembly that can be releasably coupled to form a seal around instruments of different cross-sectional dimensions, using a tether and adapter body with a manual release tab, and an elastomeric adapter seal to accommodate instruments from 3 mm to 15 mm in diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional seal assemblies are used, then a seal can be maintained around instruments, but the seal assembly becomes complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is divided into separate modular components: a base seal assembly that remains on the cannula and interchangeable adapter assemblies that can be attached or removed. Each adapter is designed as a separate unit with its own seal, allowing simple attachment to the cannula without complex assembly procedures. This segmentation maintains reliable sealing while eliminating the need for complex multi-component seal assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The base seal assembly serves as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different adapter assemblies designed for various instrument sizes. The standardized interface allows any adapter to be mounted on the same base seal, making the seal system universally adaptable to different surgical instruments without requiring complex custom assemblies for each instrument type.
2Reliability
If conventional seal assemblies are used, then a seal can be maintained, but the seal assembly cannot accommodate instruments of various sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system transitions from a static, fixed-size seal configuration to a dynamic, interchangeable system where adapter assemblies can be changed to match different instrument sizes. Each adapter is designed with specific dimensional characteristics to accommodate particular instrument diameters, allowing the seal system to dynamically adapt to various surgical instruments while maintaining reliable sealing through the elastomeric seal material that conforms to each instrument.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accommodates various instrument sizes by changing the dimensional parameters of the adapter assemblies rather than modifying the base seal. Each adapter is designed with specific inner diameter, outer diameter, and length parameters matched to particular instrument sizes (e.g., 3mm to 15mm range). This parameter-based adaptation allows the seal system to handle instruments of various sizes while maintaining consistent seal integrity through the elastomeric material properties.
3Reliability
If conventional seal assemblies are used, then a seal can be maintained, but the assembly and adaptation process becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assemblies are pre-designed and pre-configured with the appropriate seal dimensions and characteristics for specific instrument sizes. The standardized interface features (such as tapered surfaces, engagement ridges, and alignment features) are preliminarily established to enable quick attachment without requiring complex assembly procedures or adjustments during surgery. This preliminary preparation of standardized components significantly improves procedural efficiency while maintaining reliable sealing.
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 provides a flexible and efficient means to maintain a gas-tight seal for instruments of varying diameters, facilitating minimally invasive surgeries by allowing easy adaptation to different instrument sizes and reducing the complexity of assembly, thus enhancing procedural efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter body comprises an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical seal system is adapted for use with a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The surgical seal assembly includes a seal assembly and an adapter assembly. The seal assembly is mountable to the cannula housing. The seal assembly includes a seal housing and a seal defining inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a first cross-sectional dimension. The adapter assembly includes an adapter body adapted for releasably coupling to the seal housing of the seal assembly. The adapter body has an adapter seal and a tether. The adapter seal is adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tether is mountable to the cannula sleeve thus securing the adapter assembly to the cannula.