Modular Surgical Tool with Interchangeable Working Ends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional minimally invasive surgical methods, such as laparoscopic surgery, require multiple incisions, leading to visible scars and potential complications due to lack of triangulation, which increases recovery time and the risk of hernias.
Innovation Solution
The development of scarless microport augmented restoration of triangulation surgery (SMART surgery) using small openings (≤3.0 mm) to facilitate triangulation, allowing for the use of multiple instruments through minimal incisions without visible scars, and enabling easy exchange of surgical tool ends without removing the entire tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple incisions are made for each surgical tool, then access to the surgical site is improved, but visible scars and recovery time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple surgical tools are combined into a single integrated handle assembly, allowing multiple instruments to be inserted through a single incision. The handle portion contains multiple shafts that can be independently controlled, enabling triangulation while maintaining a single access point to the surgical site.
Solution Approach 2:
The surgical tool is divided into separable components including a handle portion and a working end that can be detached and exchanged. This segmentation allows the working end to be changed without removing the entire tool from the patient, facilitating multiple instrument changes through a single incision.
2Productivity
If traditional laparoscopic surgery is performed with multiple incisions, then surgical procedures can be completed, but the number of scars and surgical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple surgical functions are merged into a single tool assembly with multiple shafts that can perform different surgical tasks. This consolidation reduces the number of separate incisions needed while maintaining the ability to complete comprehensive surgical procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly is designed to accommodate multiple types of working ends through a universal connection interface. This multi-functionality allows a single tool platform to perform various surgical tasks, reducing the need for multiple specialized tools and incisions.
3Ease of operation
If multiple instruments are used through single incision, then triangulation is restored, but tool stability and control become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is segmented into a stable handle portion that remains external to the patient and a working end that is inserted. This segmentation allows the surgeon to maintain stable control of the handle while the working end performs surgical maneuvers, restoring triangulation geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle assembly acts as an intermediary between the surgeon's hands and the working ends inserted into the patient. It provides a stable external interface that translates surgeon movements into precise control of multiple internal instruments, maintaining stability while enabling triangulation.
Data Source
AI summary
Surgical tools for use during scarless or near scarless surgical procedures. At least some of the surgical tools can include a handle portion and a working end removably connected to the handle portion.