Flexible Portal Saver with Expandable Dilating Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cannulas are too rigid, restricting movement and requiring multiple instruments and steps to switch between portals during arthroscopic procedures, while also causing trauma and scarring due to aggressive external threads.

Innovation Solution

A portal saver assembly with a flexible cannulated tube and an obturator featuring a dilating assembly that allows for easy insertion and removal of instruments through a small incision, minimizing trauma and scarring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cannulas with aggressive external threads are used to maintain portal access, then the cannula can be securely anchored in tissue, but it causes trauma and scarring at the incision site

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula anchoring securityVSAvoidtissue trauma and scarring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The obturator is divided into multiple segments including a proximal shaft, a dilating assembly with expandable arms, and a distal tip. This segmentation allows the device to be inserted through a small incision in a compact state and then expanded within the tissue to achieve secure anchoring without requiring large aggressive threads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dilating assembly transitions from a compressed low-profile configuration during insertion to an expanded configuration once positioned in tissue. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to minimize incision size during insertion while providing secure anchoring after deployment, eliminating the need for aggressive external threads

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid cannulas are used to maintain portal access, then the portal structure is stable, but instrument movement between portals is restricted and requires multiple instruments and steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportal structure stabilityVSAvoidinstrument movement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The obturator shaft is constructed from a flexible material that allows it to bend and flex as instruments are manipulated through the portal. This flexibility enables smooth instrument movement between portals while the expanded distal tip maintains portal stability, eliminating the need for multiple rigid cannulas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If multiple instruments and steps are used to move instruments between portals, then portal access is maintained, but procedural time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportal access maintenanceVSAvoidprocedural time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible obturator serves multiple functions: it maintains portal access, allows instrument passage, enables instrument manipulation between portals, and provides structural stability. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate instruments and steps into a single device, reducing procedural time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a small incision is made to insert the cannula, then trauma and scarring are minimized, but the cannula cannot be securely anchored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveincision trauma and scarringVSAvoidcannula anchoring security

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The obturator transitions from a one-dimensional linear insertion through the incision to a three-dimensional expanded structure within the tissue. The expandable arms or balloons deploy radially outward after insertion, creating secure anchoring points in the tissue while the incision remains small, solving the contradiction between incision size and anchoring security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

The flexible portal saver assembly enables efficient movement of instruments between portals in two steps, reducing procedural time and minimizing trauma and scarring at the incision site.

Implementation Method 1

a dilating assembly at the distal tip movable between a collapsed, first configuration and an expanded, second configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial expansion:

Implementation Method 2

A shaft expander can have a cannulated inner obturator tube, which is movable between a first position and a second position within the outer obturator tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAxial movement:

Data Source

PatentUS12285189B2Hip access portal saver

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 CONMED CORP

AI summary

A portal saver device for installing a flexible cannulated tube at a surgical site. A portal saver device includes an obturator. The obturator has an obturator body having a cannulated outer obturator tube extending therethrough. The outer obturator tube has a distal tip with a dilating assembly movable between a collapsed, first configuration and an expanded, second configuration. A shaft expander has a cannulated inner obturator tube, which is movable between a first position and a second position within the outer obturator tube. In the first position, the inner obturator tube is retracted from the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the first configuration. In the second position, the inner obturator tube is advanced within the distal tip of the outer obturator tube and the dilating assembly is in the second configuration.