Tissue Specimen Retrieval Device with Deployable Bag Brim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally-invasive surgical procedures face challenges in retrieving large tissue specimens due to restricted access and the need to break down specimens, which can lead to cancer cell seeding, and existing devices are often expensive and have preloaded bag brims that are oversized for the specimen.
Innovation Solution
A tissue specimen retrieval device with a first shaft and a telescopically movable second shaft having a bag brim, featuring hook members that deploy to form a circular enclosure for the specimen bag, allowing for adjustable deployment and retraction, and made from materials like surgical stainless steel to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large tissue specimen is retrieved intact through minimally-invasive openings, then retrieval efficiency is improved, but the restricted access and visualization make it impossible to retrieve specimens larger than the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The bag brim is designed with dynamic deployability, transitioning from a compact stored state within the shaft to an expanded operational state at the distal end. The brim can be deployed to various diameters depending on specimen size requirements, allowing the device to adapt to different retrieval scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-size devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag brim is divided into multiple segments or struts that can independently deploy and articulate. This segmentation allows the brim to expand from a small compact form during insertion to a large support structure for specimen retrieval, effectively resolving the contradiction between small device profile and large specimen capacity.
2Ease of operation
If a tissue specimen is broken down into smaller pieces for retrieval, then retrieval through restricted access is facilitated, but cancer cell seeding may occur during the breakdown process
Solution Approach 1:
The bag brim is pre-deployed to an appropriate diameter before specimen engagement, creating a ready-to-support enclosure that can accommodate the entire specimen intact. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for intra-procedural specimen fragmentation, thereby preventing cancer cell seeding while maintaining retrieval feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployable bag brim acts as an intermediary structure between the restricted minimally-invasive access and the large tissue specimen. By expanding the brim to an appropriate size, it mediates the retrieval process to allow intact specimen removal without requiring breakdown, thus preventing harmful cell seeding while facilitating ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If shape memory alloys are used for the bag brim to facilitate deployment, then deployment functionality is improved, but the cost increases significantly compared to stainless steel and other materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces shape memory alloy-based deployment mechanisms with a mechanically actuated system using hooks, slots, and windows. This mechanical substitution maintains the deployable functionality while using cost-effective materials like surgical stainless steel, thereby resolving the contradiction between deployment capability and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag brim is designed as a disposable component made from inexpensive surgical-grade stainless steel or similar materials. Rather than using expensive shape memory alloys that can be reused, the disposable approach allows for cost-effective single-use deployment while maintaining sterile conditions and appropriate mechanical performance.
4Ease of manufacture
If the bag brim is preloaded with a specific diameter, then manufacturing is simplified, but the brim is often over-sized for the tissue specimen requiring adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The bag brim is designed with dynamic adjustability, allowing the diameter to be modified after manufacturing. The brim can be deployed to different diameters based on the specific specimen size requirements, providing adaptability while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized base components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in the bag brim diameter through mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The brim can be deployed to various diameters by manipulating the hook members and slots, allowing the same manufactured component to adapt to different specimen sizes without requiring multiple pre-loaded configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a first shaft having a pair of slots defined in a distal end thereof and a pair of windows defined proximally of the pair of respective slots. A second shaft is included having a bag brim attached thereto, the second shaft telescopically movable within the first shaft between a retracted position, wherein the bag brim is disposed within the first shaft and a partially deployed position wherein the bag brim partially deploys from the first shaft forming an enclosure for supporting the tissue bag thereon. A pair of hook members is included each having an arm, a first end engaged to the bag brim and a free end including a hook at a distal end thereof. Upon deployment, the hook of each hook member engages a respective window allowing each respective arm to pivot outwardly within respective slots to fully deploy the bag brim.