Resorbable Trocar Site Plug for Reproducible Wound Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional suturing techniques for closing trocar sites after laparoscopic surgeries are difficult, especially in obese patients, posing risks of complications such as bleeding, herniation, and chronic pain, and are not easily reproducible.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a resorbable, sterile, biocompatible polymer plug with a truncated-cone shape and a blind hole, designed for easy insertion and expansion within the trocar site, promoting hemostasis and fibrosis, and featuring a solid portion to enhance maneuverability and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suture closure is used for trocar sites, then wound closure is achieved, but risk of infection increases and operating time increases due to manual closure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device performs self-closure of the trocar site through a mechanical winding mechanism that automatically draws the closure member around the trocar insertion site without requiring manual suture tying or complex surgical manipulation, thereby reducing operating time while maintaining closure reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the closure function from the trocar itself, using a separate closure member that can be independently deployed and activated, allowing the trocar to be removed while the closure mechanism remains in place to seal the site, thus preventing infection without extending surgical time
2Productivity
If manual suture closure is used, then wound closure is achieved, but operating time increases due to surgeon skill dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The closure device incorporates a self-actuating winding mechanism that automatically performs the closure action when activated, eliminating the need for manual suture tying and reducing dependency on surgeon skill while maintaining rapid closure speed
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is designed with a universal applicator and winding mechanism that can be used across different trocar site sizes and locations, providing a standardized solution that simplifies the closure process without requiring multiple different closure techniques or increasing overall device complexity
3Reliability
If larger closure members are used to seal trocar sites effectively, then sealing effectiveness improves, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is designed with varying thickness and density characteristics, with thicker portions strategically positioned to provide enhanced sealing at the trocar insertion site while thinner portions contact surrounding tissue to minimize damage, achieving effective sealing without excessive tissue compression
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is divided into multiple segments or zones with different structural properties, allowing the thicker sealing portion to be concentrated only where needed at the puncture site while reducing overall material volume and tissue contact pressure in non-critical areas
4Reliability
If thicker closure members are used, then sealing effectiveness improves, but device complexity and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member features non-uniform thickness with thicker sections localized to the sealing interface and thinner sections in the body and tail portions, achieving reliable closure without requiring the entire device to be thick and complex
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member incorporates flexible and deformable sections that allow it to adapt its shape during insertion and sealing, reducing the need for rigid thick structures while maintaining sealing effectiveness through dynamic conforming to the tissue geometry
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention is directed to a device for closing a trocar site, that comprises a body (2) made from a resorbable and sterile, biocompatible polymer. The body (2) has an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis (A) and features a first extremal surface (3), a second extremal surface (4), and at least one longitudinal surface (5), which extends along said longitudinal axis (A) between the first extremal surface (3) and the second extremal surfaces (4). At least a portion of the body (2) taken longitudinally between the first extremal surface (3) and the second extremal surface (4) is solid.