Retaining Bag for Protected Power Morcellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current power morcellation techniques in minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries pose a risk of inadvertently spreading undiagnosed uterine malignancies and disrupt the existing endoscopic workflow, necessitating a safer alternative that prevents tissue dissemination.
Innovation Solution
A flexible retaining bag system with a specimen-receiving opening that can be sealed and insufflated, equipped with laparoscopic tool channels for morcellation, allowing for the containment and safe removal of specimens within a protected environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If open mechanical power morcellation is used to facilitate minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries, then surgical complexity is reduced and patient recovery is improved, but there is a risk of spreading undiagnosed uterine malignancy during the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the surgical procedure into distinct phases: specimen containment within the bag, sealed morcellation of the specimen, and controlled removal of morcellated tissue through channels. This segmentation prevents malignant tissue spread by isolating the morcellation process within the sealed bag environment while maintaining surgical efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining bag acts as an intermediary between the specimen and the surgical field. It provides a sealed containment environment that allows morcellation to proceed without risking tissue dissemination, while still enabling efficient minimally invasive surgical removal of the specimen.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a tissue bag is inserted through a laparoscopic port for morcellation, then a protected environment is created, but additional time is required to fold and pull the ring element into and out of the port
Solution Approach 1:
The ring element is designed to be dynamically deployable and collapsible. It expands to form a sealed containment environment during morcellation, then collapses for efficient removal through the port. This dynamic design maintains tissue containment while minimizing the time required for deployment and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag utilizes flexible material that can be easily inserted, inflated to form a sealed containment environment, and then deflated for removal. This flexibility reduces the time and complexity of manipulating the containment structure while maintaining effective tissue containment during the critical morcellation phase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bag is insufflated after pulling the ring out of the port, then a protected environment is formed, but the number of ports and tools that can access the interior is limited due to risks of compromising insufflation
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple laparoscopic tool channels are nested within the single insufflated bag structure. This allows multiple tools to access the specimen simultaneously through separate channels while the bag maintains a single sealed insufflated environment, providing both protected containment and versatile tool access.
Solution Approach 2:
The single insufflated bag serves multiple functions: it provides the sealed protected environment, contains multiple tool channels for various laparoscopic instruments, and maintains positive pressure to prevent tissue escape. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate ports while maintaining both protection and versatility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a trocar pierces the bag after insufflation for insertion of tools, then tool access is enabled, but there is risk of compromising the insufflation and causing unnecessary complications
Solution Approach 1:
Trocar channels are pre-integrated and nested within the bag structure before insufflation. The channels are positioned such that they can receive and guide laparoscopic tools through the bag wall without requiring piercing actions that would compromise the sealed insufflated environment, thereby maintaining both tool access and insufflation integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The trocar channels are pre-positioned and prepared within the bag before insufflation occurs. This preliminary arrangement allows tools to be inserted through the pre-formed channels without piercing the insufflated bag, eliminating the risk of compromising insufflation while enabling versatile tool access.
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 system effectively prevents tissue dissemination by sealing the specimen within the bag during morcellation, maintaining a protected environment and allowing for direct visualization and efficient removal of the specimen, while integrating seamlessly with existing laparoscopic workflows.
Implementation Method 1
insufflation source in communication with the interior of the retaining bag through the channel. The insufflation source is insufflating the retaining bag to distend the retaining bag
Data Source
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AI summary
A power morcellation system, apparatus, and methodology. Structurally, the device includes a sturdy, pliable (e.g., able to be inserted and retracted through a 10-15 mm morcellator port), distensible, waterproof/watertight retaining bag/pouch/carrier to be deployed into the pelvic cavity of the subject. The device further includes a plurality (e.g., three (3)) of port tube channels extending outwardly from the bag, wherein the interior of each channel is in communication with the interior of the bag. Each channel has an open end (opposite from the end that terminates in the bag) through which a laparoscopic/robotic camera and other instruments (e.g., camera, control instrument) may pass. A smaller tube channel also extends outwardly from the bag and can be suited as an insufflation port channel, among other uses. The bag also includes a large opening surrounded by an elastic drawstring for receiving the specimen to be removed within the bag.