Movable Seal Surgical Access Device Chopstick Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic surgical instruments, especially those used in mini-laparoscopy, face limitations due to their smaller diameter, leading to performance issues such as weak suction-irrigation systems, poor durability, and decreased video quality, which restrict their use to patients with favorable anatomy, and the 'chopstick effect' hampers surgical maneuverability when multiple instruments are used through a single incision.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access device featuring a housing with a central axis and a working channel, equipped with a seal member and multiple sealing elements that allow independent movement within predetermined paths, enabling lateral, angular, and rotational movement of instruments to reduce the 'chopstick effect and improve maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple standard cannulas and instruments are placed in the umbilicus next to each other, then surgical access is provided, but a 'chopstick effect' occurs that creates interference between hands and instruments, greatly reducing surgical maneuverability
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is made movable within a predetermined path, allowing dynamic adjustment of the instrument's position and angle. This enables the instrument to move laterally, angularly, and rotationally to optimize surgical access and eliminate the chopstick effect, while the seal maintains its sealing function throughout the movement range.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is configured to move not only axially but also laterally and angularly within a predetermined three-dimensional path. This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the instrument to access different anatomical locations and angles, providing enhanced surgical maneuverability that cannot be achieved with fixed sealing elements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If mini-laparoscopy is performed using 2-3 mm diameter trocar sleeves, then abdominal wall trauma is reduced and cosmesis is improved, but instrument performance deteriorates with weak suction-irrigation systems, poor durability, and decreased video quality
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical access device is designed to accommodate multiple types of instruments through a single small incision, including insufflation needles, surgical instruments, and video scopes. The movable sealing element can adapt to different instrument diameters and shapes, allowing mini-laparoscopy to achieve both cosmetic benefits and reliable instrument performance through a universal access system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a single umbilical incision is used for mini-laparoscopy, then the number of incisions is reduced improving cosmesis, but surgical maneuverability is hampered by the 'chopstick effect' when multiple instruments are used
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sealing element allows instruments to be repositioned dynamically during surgery, enabling the surgeon to overcome the limitations of single-incision access. By moving the sealing element within its predetermined path, the instrument can be angled and positioned to avoid interference with other instruments or the surgeon's hands, effectively eliminating the chopstick effect while maintaining the cosmetic benefits of a single incision.
Data Source
AI summary
Various methods and devices are provided for allowing multiple surgical instruments to be inserted into sealing elements of a single surgical access device. The sealing elements can be movable along predefined pathways within the device to allow surgical instruments inserted through the sealing elements to be moved laterally, rotationally, angularly, and vertically relative to a central longitudinal axis of the device for ease of manipulation within a patient's body while maintaining insufflation.