Segmented Laparoscopic Tissue Containment Against Collapse
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laparoscopic workspace devices face challenges in maintaining structural integrity and stability within the body cavity while allowing for efficient tissue isolation and manipulation, particularly under insufflation pressures, and require improved designs for ease of insertion and expansion.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic tissue containment device with an expandable wall comprising multiple segments and radial rigidizers that resist collapse under intra-abdominal forces, allowing for inflation and expansion within the body cavity, and featuring smooth surfaces for minimal tissue disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the workspace device is designed with a rigid structure to maintain structural integrity under insufflation pressures, then structural stability is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of insertion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The workspace device wall is divided into multiple expandable segments that can be inflated independently or collectively. This segmentation allows the device to achieve its rigid, stable configuration only when needed (when inflated), while remaining flexible and simple for insertion in its collapsed state. Each segment contributes to the overall structural integrity when pressurized.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static, fixed-configuration design to a dynamic, transformable structure. The wall can dynamically change between a collapsed flexible state (for insertion) and an expanded rigid state (for surgical work). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by making the structure rigid only when necessary for maintaining structural integrity under insufflation pressures.
2Ease of operation
If the workspace device is designed with a collapsible structure for ease of insertion, then ease of operation is improved, but the reliability and structural stability under insufflation pressures deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The workspace device utilizes a flexible inflatable wall composed of thin film or membrane materials that can be collapsed for easy insertion through small incisions. Once inside the body cavity, the wall is inflated to provide the necessary structural stability and reliability. The flexible shell design enables both ease of insertion and structural integrity under different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested configuration where the functional workspace structure is contained within a delivery catheter or introducer sheath. The workspace device is collapsed and nested within the delivery system for easy insertion, then deployed and expanded after insertion to achieve the required structural stability and reliability during surgical procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the workspace device uses radial rigidizers to resist collapse under intra-abdominal forces, then structural stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial rigidizers are integrated as segmented structural elements distributed around the circumference of the inflatable wall. These segmented rigidizers provide localized support to resist collapse under intra-abdominal forces while maintaining overall device simplicity. The segmentation allows the rigidizers to be efficiently distributed and integrated into the expandable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial rigidizers are merged with the inflatable wall structure rather than being separate components. The rigidizers are integrated into the wall material or structure, combining the functions of the wall and the rigidizing elements into a unified structure. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to resist collapse under intra-abdominal forces.
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 device provides stable tissue containment and manipulation within the body cavity, facilitating efficient surgical procedures with reduced tissue damage and ease of insertion and expansion.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable wall comprising a plurality of expandable segments and one or more radial rigidizers
Implementation Method 2
allowing for inflation and expansion within the body cavity
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 1D
AI summary
A workspace device having a body which is collapsible to a collapsed state to fit through a laparoscopic passageway in a body cavity wall, and expandable to an expanded state within a body cavity into which the passageway extends, including: a workspace body having a workspace wall including a plurality of expandable segments defining an internal lumen, and a plurality of radial rigidizers positioned within the wall; wherein in the expanded state: the workspace device extends defining a workspace axis, and has an opening to the internal volume; and the plurality of expandable segments rigidize the workspace body to resist collapse by intra-abdominal forces, and the plurality of radially extending rigidizers positioned within the wall resist radial forces.