Optical Trocar Transparent Tip Locking Collet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical trocars lack effective visualization and secure engagement of endoscopes during tissue penetration, leading to potential tissue damage and limited access in laparoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
An optical trocar system with a transparent penetrating end and a locking collet mechanism that securely engages an endoscope, allowing for visualization and precise tissue penetration, featuring a tapered configuration with concave and convex surfaces for reduced profile passage and a camming mechanism for secure endoscope retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional trocar with protective tube or retracted tip is used, then tissue protection is improved, but visualization capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trocar is divided into distinct functional segments: a protective sheath for tissue safety, a transparent window for visualization, and a separate endoscope component. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the others - the sheath protects tissue while the transparent window enables visual feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
An endoscope is introduced as an intermediary device that bridges the protective sheath and the surgeon's visual system. The endoscope transmits images through the transparent window, providing real-time visualization of tissue penetration while the sheath maintains tissue protection. This intermediary enables both protection and visualization simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the trocar tip is retracted to prevent tissue contact, then safety is improved, but penetration control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent window is positioned at the tip of the protective sheath before penetration begins, allowing the surgeon to visualize tissue structures in advance. This preliminary visualization enables controlled penetration while maintaining the retracted, safe position of the trocar tip throughout the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope provides real-time visual feedback of tissue structures through the transparent window, allowing the surgeon to adjust penetration control dynamically. The feedback loop enables precise control of the retracted tip's movement while maintaining safety, as the surgeon can see tissue response and adjust accordingly.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to secure the endoscope, then engagement reliability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking collet is designed to automatically engage and secure the endoscope through its own elastic deformation and frictional contact. The spring-loaded mechanism self-regulates to maintain secure engagement without requiring external actuation or complex control systems, achieving reliable locking with minimal added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism replaces complex mechanical interlocking systems with a simpler friction-based elastic collet design. The collet's radial contraction creates frictional engagement with the endoscope, eliminating the need for threads, lugs, or multi-component mechanical fasteners while maintaining secure attachment.
4Loss of information
If the penetrating end is made transparent for visualization, then visualization capability is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Only the specific region requiring visualization - the window at the penetrating end - is made transparent. The rest of the trocar structure maintains its traditional opaque, high-strength construction. This localized transparency preserves overall structural integrity while enabling visual feedback where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrating end combines transparent materials (for the window portion) with traditional strong materials (for the structural body). This composite construction allows the transparent window to provide visualization while the surrounding structural materials maintain the necessary strength and rigidity for safe tissue penetration.
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
Enables safe and controlled visualization during tissue penetration, preventing unintended tissue contact and enhancing access in laparoscopic procedures by providing a secure and frictional engagement of the endoscope, facilitating precise surgical maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
The locking collet and the manual member include corresponding camming surfaces whereby upon longitudinal movement of the locking collet relative to the manual member the camming surfaces cooperate to reduce the internal dimension of the internal passage of the locking collet
Implementation Method 2
cause the internal surfaces of the locking collet to securely engage the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue includes an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue. The access member defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope. The access member has a closed penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue. The closed penetrating end is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope. The optical access apparatus further includes a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member and a manual member mounted adjacent the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith. The locking collet has internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the surgical instrument. The manual member is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis to reduce an internal dimension of the internal passage of the locking collet to cause the internal surfaces of the locking collet to securely engage the surgical instrument.