Pivotable Tissue Manipulation End Effector for Prostate Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

During prostatectomy procedures, particularly laparoscopic prostatectomies, it is challenging to precisely position and maneuver the prostate gland for dissection while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues and neurovascular bundles, and existing instruments are difficult to clean and sterilize post-procedure.

Innovation Solution

A tissue manipulation device with a handle, shaft, and end effector that allows for precise manipulation of the prostate through the urethra, featuring a removable and deployable end effector and a securing member that facilitates easy disassembly for cleaning and sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional prostatectomy instruments are used, then the surgical procedure can be performed, but precise positioning and manipulation of the prostate is difficult and surrounding tissue damage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsurrounding tissue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A securing member is introduced as an intermediary component that couples the end effector to the shaft. This securing member features a pivotable connection that allows the end effector to be manipulated independently while maintaining secure attachment, enabling precise prostate positioning without transmitting excessive forces to surrounding tissues

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The end effector is designed with pivotable connections to the shaft, allowing it to rotate and adjust its orientation dynamically during the surgical procedure. This dynamic capability enables the surgeon to precisely position the prostate while minimizing damage to surrounding neurovascular bundles through controlled, adaptive manipulation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If integrated end effector design is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but cleaning and sterilization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcleaning ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into distinct components: a shaft, an end effector, and a securing member that couples them. The securing member features a pivotable connection that allows the end effector to be easily detached from the shaft for separate cleaning and sterilization, while maintaining structural integrity when assembled during the surgical procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed end effector design is used, then operational stability is achieved, but adaptability for different surgical needs is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidmanipulation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The end effector incorporates pivotable connections to the shaft, transforming it from a fixed design to a dynamic one. This allows the end effector to rotate and adjust its orientation during the procedure, providing adaptability for different surgical needs while maintaining operational stability when properly positioned and secured

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable end effector design provides multi-functionality by enabling the same device to perform various manipulation tasks during prostatectomy. The end effector can be oriented in multiple directions and positions, adapting to different surgical requirements while maintaining a stable secured state during critical operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4643789A1Tissue manipulation device
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 LSI SOLUTIONS INC
  • EP4643789A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4643789A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4643789A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tissue manipulation device (10, 700) includes an end effector assembly (602, 800) disposed at a distal end of a shaft portion (12, 40, 86, 140), the end effector assembly (602, 800) including a tissue engaging assembly (600, 802) having first and second tissue engaging arms (604a, 810a; 604b, 810b) that each include a first arm segment, a second arm segment, and a third arm segment that are coupled by living hinges. When an adjustment member (22, 708) coupled to the end effector assembly (602, 800) is displaced from a first position to a second position, the end effector assembly (602, 800) transition from a first undeployed position, in which the first and second tissue engaging arms (604a, 810a; 604b, 810b) are disposed a first configuration adapted for insertion into a patient, to a second deployed position, in which the first and second tissue engaging arms (604a, 810a; 604b, 810b) are disposed a second configuration adapted to manipulate a tissue of the patient.