Rotatable Assistant Port for Single-Port Robotic Instrument Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive surgery systems face challenges in managing multiple surgical instruments through a single cannula, particularly when combining robotically controlled and hand-operated instruments, which can lead to instrument management difficulties and loss of insufflation due to tissue trauma.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable assistant port device with a cannula port and an assistant port that allows for the insertion of a cannula fixed to a teleoperated robot and a hand-operated instrument, respectively, enabling rotation of the assistant port around the cannula while maintaining insufflation, along with a wound protector for secure placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple surgical instruments are introduced through a single cannula, then the number of incisions is reduced, but instrument management becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidinstrument management
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single cannula is segmented into multiple separate access channels, with each instrument having its own dedicated pathway. This allows multiple instruments to pass through a single external incision while maintaining separate, manageable routes within the cannula, reducing tissue trauma while preserving ease of instrument manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple smaller cannulas or access channels are nested within a single larger cannula structure. This nested configuration enables multiple instruments to be introduced through one main incision while each instrument maintains its own protected pathway, solving both the reduction of incisions and the management of multiple instruments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a larger cannula is used to accommodate all instruments, then single port access is achieved, but the cannula size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue traumaVSAvoidcannula size
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using one large cannula, the system segments the access into multiple smaller channels within a single cannula structure. This segmentation allows each instrument to have its own optimized-sized pathway, achieving single port access without requiring an excessively large cannula that would cause more tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple smaller cannulas are nested within a single parent cannula, allowing each instrument to use a cannula sized appropriately for its specific needs rather than forcing all instruments through one oversized cannula, thus minimizing overall tissue trauma while maintaining single port access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Manufacturing precision

If robotically controlled instruments are used, then surgical precision is improved, but access for hand controlled assistant instruments becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidinstrument access
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cannula system is segmented to provide dedicated channels for both robotic instruments and hand-controlled assistant instruments. This segmentation allows robotic instruments to maintain precision through their controlled pathways while simultaneously accommodating hand-controlled instruments for retraction and assistance, enhancing both precision and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The single cannula system is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating multiple channels that can accommodate different types of instruments simultaneously. This universal design allows the system to support both robotically controlled precision instruments and hand-controlled assistant instruments, achieving both surgical precision and instrument accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2996758B1Rotating assistant port
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC
  • EP2996758B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2996758B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B
  • EP2996758B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of a rotating assistant port device are presented. The assistant port device can be utilized to provide for additional assistant instruments in single port robotic surgery. In some embodiments, the assistant port device can be utilized for skin retraction during single port teleoperated robotic surgery.