Multi-Port Gas Distribution for Stable Pneumoperitoneum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pneumoperitoneum systems face challenges such as reduced gas flow due to trocar occupation by surgical instruments, pressure instability during suctioning, and increased risk of trocar malpositioning, particularly in robotic surgery, necessitating improved insufflation systems for stable gas pressure and efficient smoke evacuation.
Innovation Solution
A gas flow distribution device with a housing containing an insufflation chamber and multiple outlet ports connected to trocars, along with a separate exhaust chamber for smoke evacuation, utilizing luer lock connections and pressure fits to maintain high-flow, constant or variable pressure pneumoperitoneum, and a valve system to manage suction and exhaust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single inflow tubing is used to carry insufflation gas to a single trocar, then the system is simple, but the gas flow capacity is limited and reduced when surgical instruments are inserted into the trocar
Solution Approach 1:
The single inflow tubing is segmented into multiple separate outflow tubings, each connected to a separate trocar. This allows gas to be distributed through multiple parallel pathways, increasing total gas flow capacity while each individual pathway remains simple enough to accommodate surgical instruments without significant flow reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-dimensional gas flow path (one tubing to one trocar) to a multi-dimensional distribution network (one inlet distributing to multiple outlets). This dimensional expansion of the flow network enables concurrent gas delivery to multiple trocars, effectively increasing overall gas flow capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If outer channels are used to carry gases around a central trocar sheath in a valveless trocar system, then gas flow is maintained, but the overall size of the trocar increases requiring larger incisions
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using outer channels around a central sheath, the gas delivery function is segmented into separate dedicated tubings for each trocar. This eliminates the need for increased trocar size while maintaining gas flow capacity, as each trocar receives gas through its own separate tubing rather than sharing a constrained central channel.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas delivery function is extracted from the trocar structure itself and placed into separate external tubings. This allows the trocars to remain small and simple while the gas flow capacity is maintained through dedicated external pathways, separating the gas delivery function from the mechanical trocar component.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a single trocar is used for insufflation, then the system is simple, but pressure stability is lost during suctioning or when gas escapes through vaginal incisions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple insufflation pathways are merged into a common insufflation chamber that distributes gas to all trocars simultaneously. This creates a redundant system where gas can be delivered through multiple routes, maintaining pressure stability even when one pathway experiences gas loss or resistance during suctioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes from a single gas flow parameter (one tubing) to multiple gas flow parameters (multiple tubings with independent flow capacities). This allows the overall gas delivery system to compensate for pressure drops in individual pathways by increasing flow through other pathways, maintaining stable pneumoperitoneum pressure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If larger trocars are used to accommodate multiple functions, then device versatility is improved, but the risk of postoperative hernia formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distribution device provides multi-functionality by enabling a single trocar to receive both insufflation gas through dedicated tubings and to accommodate surgical instruments. This universal design allows small trocars to serve multiple purposes without requiring larger incisions, thereby maintaining low hernia risk while achieving functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The separate outflow tubings act as intermediaries between the insufflation source and the trocars, enabling gas delivery without requiring the trocars themselves to be large or complex. This intermediary system allows small trocars to maintain their simplicity and low hernia risk while still achieving the required functional versatility through the connecting tubings.
Data Source
AI summary
An insufflation system for creating a high-flow, constant pressure pneumoperitoneum, the system including: a gas flow distribution device including: a housing defining an insufflation chamber; an inlet port on the housing and configured to be connected to an insufflator to provide insufflation gas from the insufflator to the insufflation chamber; and a plurality of outlet ports on the housing configured to be connected to a plurality of trocars, each outlet port configured to be connected to a dedicated one of the plurality of trocars, to concurrently distribute the insufflation gas from the insufflation chamber to each of the plurality of trocars.