Optical Obturator Transparent Window Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, often lack visualization during tissue penetration, leading to blind advancement of trocars, which can result in unintended tissue damage or complications.
Innovation Solution
An optical access assembly with a transparent window mounted on an obturator sleeve, allowing direct visualization of body tissue during penetration and enabling the introduction of surgical instrumentation, featuring a control member for moving the window between aligned and radially displaced positions, and optionally incorporating cutting blades for tissue penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a traditional opaque trocar is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but direct visualization of tissue during penetration is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator is divided into separate functional components: a transparent window portion for visualization, a cutting blade portion for tissue penetration, and an obturator sleeve for instrumentation reception. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while achieving the dual function of visualization and penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent window serves multiple functions: it provides visualization of tissue, acts as a cutting blade for tissue penetration, and serves as a protective cover for the obturator sleeve. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and maintains structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the transparent window is always in the radially displaced position, then the longitudinal bore is always exposed for instrumentation, but tissue visualization during penetration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent window is designed to be movable between two positions: aligned with the longitudinal axis for tissue visualization during penetration, and radially displaced to expose the longitudinal bore for instrumentation placement. This dynamic positioning allows the system to adapt to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent window is pre-positioned in the aligned configuration to enable visualization before penetration occurs. After successful penetration, the window can be rotated to the displaced position to expose the bore for instrumentation, ensuring that visualization is available when needed most.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the transparent window is made movable to allow rotation, then tissue visualization and instrumentation access are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control member is integrated with the transparent window assembly, combining the rotation control function with the window positioning function. This merging reduces the need for separate control mechanisms and simplifies the overall device structure while enabling the necessary adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The control member acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates user input into rotation of the transparent window. This intermediary design allows for easy control of the window positioning without requiring complex direct actuation mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
An optical obturator apparatus includes an obturator sleeve defining a longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal bore for receiving surgical instrumentation and a transparent window mounted to the obturator sleeve and being dimensioned and configured to pass through tissue. The transparent window is mounted for movement between a first position in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of the obturator sleeve and a second position radially displaced from the longitudinal axis to thereby expose the longitudinal bore of the obturator sleeve to permit passage of the surgical instrumentation. The transparent window may include a cutting blade, or alternatively two cutting blades, adapted to penetrate tissue.