Removable Seal Assembly for Minimally Invasive Tissue Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures face challenges with restricted access and maneuverability when removing large tissue specimens, often requiring specimens to be broken down into smaller pieces due to limited access through small entrance openings.
Innovation Solution
An access system comprising a tissue retractor with a removable seal assembly that includes a conical-shaped body with a passageway and O-ring for fluid-tight sealing, allowing for the secure positioning and removal of tissue specimens without breaking them down, using a combination of annular surfaces and resiliently flexible feet for secure engagement and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a small cannula is used for minimally-invasive access, then the invasiveness is reduced, but the ability to remove large tissue specimens is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into multiple components including a seal member, retainer, and optional instrument seal, allowing modular assembly and disassembly. This segmentation enables the system to maintain a sealed environment while accommodating various instrument sizes and specimen removal needs through component reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a longitudinal dimension to the seal assembly design, with the seal member extending along the cannula axis. This dimensional approach allows the seal to accommodate instruments of varying diameters while maintaining fluid-tight sealing, effectively solving the contradiction between small access size and large specimen removal capability.
2Ease of manufacture
If the seal assembly is made removable, then the ease of cleaning and sterilization is improved, but the risk of seal failure or leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is extracted as a separate, removable component from the cannula system, allowing it to be independently cleaned, sterilized, or replaced. The retainer mechanism ensures secure reattachment, maintaining seal integrity while enabling easy maintenance and reducing contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a retainer mechanism that prevents accidental disassembly and ensures proper reattachment of the seal member. This beforehand cushioning approach mitigates the risk of seal failure during use while maintaining the benefits of removability for cleaning and sterilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seal assembly accommodates multiple instruments, then the versatility is improved, but the complexity of the sealing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple instruments of varying sizes and functions. The longitudinal extension and flexible material properties allow the same seal assembly to work with different surgical instruments, reducing the need for multiple specialized seals while maintaining versatility.
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
Facilitates the removal of tissue specimens from internal body cavities without the need to break them down, maintaining a fluid-tight seal and ensuring effective insufflation both with and without surgical instruments, enhancing the efficiency of minimally-invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
an O-ring disposed about the second body between the second annular distally-oriented surface and the second annular proximally-oriented surface. The O-ring is configured to establish a fluid tight-seal between the first and second bodies.
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable seal assembly configured to engage an access device includes a body including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a passageway extending longitudinally therethrough. The proximal portion defines an annular distally-oriented surface and the distal portion defines an annular proximally-oriented surface. The body is configured for positioning within an access device such that the annular distally-oriented surface and the annular proximally-oriented surface engage opposing surfaces of the access device therebetween. An O-ring disposed about the body between the annular distally-oriented surface and the annular proximally-oriented surface. The O-ring is configured to establish a fluid tight-seal between the body and the access device.