Round-Tipped Trocar Delivery for Low-Trauma Pellet Insertion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trocar insertion methods for subcutaneous hormone pellets cause significant micro-trauma, leading to pain, scarring, increased healing time, and risk of pellet extrusion, particularly in male testosterone replacement therapy.

Innovation Solution

A minimally traumatic trocar method using a cannula with a smooth anterior surface and a rounded obturator tip to minimize tissue damage, combined with hydrodissection to prepare the insertion path, reducing the need for a separate delivery obturator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a large gauge trocar is used for male testosterone replacement therapy, then high dosage medication can be delivered, but tissue trauma and pain increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication dosageVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trocar is divided into separate components: a sharp penetrating tip for initial incision, a smooth obturator for medication delivery, and a cannula for guidance. This segmentation allows the sharp tip to create the pathway with minimal force while the smooth obturator delivers medication without additional trauma, resolving the contradiction between delivering high dosage medication and minimizing tissue trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sharp penetrating tip performs the preliminary action of creating the incision pathway before the smooth obturator is inserted. This preliminary action separates the trauma-causing incision step from the medication delivery step, allowing high dosage delivery without additional trauma during the actual medication administration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If traditional trocar insertion is used, then medication delivery is achieved, but scarring and healing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication deliveryVSAvoidhealing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The obturator features a smooth surface and rounded tip specifically at the medication delivery end, while the penetrating tip remains sharp. This local quality differentiation ensures that only the necessary portion is sharp for incision, while the medication delivery portion is smooth to minimize tissue disruption and scarring, thereby reducing healing time while maintaining effective medication delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If conventional obturator design is used, then medication can be delivered, but risk of pellet extrusion and infection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedication deliveryVSAvoidpellet stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The smooth obturator design acts as a cushioning mechanism that prevents excessive force transmission to the medication pellets during insertion. The smooth surface reduces friction and tissue grabbing, thereby preventing pellet extrusion and reducing infection risk before they can occur, while still enabling effective medication delivery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 method achieves consistent medication delivery with reduced pain, scarring, and healing time, allowing for larger pellet sizes and fewer office visits, while improving pellet absorption and patient comfort.

Implementation Method 1

A minimally traumatic trocar method using a cannula with a smooth anterior surface and a round-tipped obturator that probes an incision into subcutaneous tissue with minimal micro-trauma

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

employing hydrodissection to soften tissues and tranexamic acid to prevent clot breakdown

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodissection:

Implementation Method 3

employing hydrodissection to soften tissues and tranexamic acid to prevent clot breakdown

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectClot stabilization: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS12629505B2Minimally traumatic trocar method for subcutaneous medication delivery

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 VITALTE LIFESCIENCES INC

AI summary

A method for delivering a medication pellet to a subcutaneous insertion site with a round tipped obturator and blunt cannula is described. The obturator is received within the cannula. The cannula includes a tubular cannula body having a smooth anterior surface a medication slot disposed along the cannula body. The cannula and obturator probe an incision into the subcutaneous tissue along a non-linear insertion path within the subcutaneous tissue. The obturator is removed from the cannula, and the medication pellet is placed in the medication slot. The cannula body again receives the obturator, which passes the pellet through the cannula body with its anterior rounded tip so that the obturator pushes the pellet(s) through the cannula body. The pellet exits the cannula body.