Single-Port Cannula Guide Channels for Multi-Instrument Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in managing multiple surgical instruments through a single cannula, particularly in robotically controlled surgeries, due to limited visibility and accessibility, and the need for a compact cannula design that maintains instrument mobility.

Innovation Solution

A cannula system with an instrument guide featuring guide channels and a seal that supports multiple surgical instruments, along with insufflation channels and a flexible section, allowing for robotic control and minimizing fluid loss, while maintaining a small cannula diameter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a single cannula is used to accommodate multiple surgical instruments, then the number of incisions is reduced minimizing patient trauma, but the cannula diameter must be increased which reduces minimally invasive benefits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidcannula diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by placing multiple surgical instruments and a camera instrument inside a single cannula. The instruments are arranged concentrically or in nested configurations, allowing them to pass through the same external opening without requiring multiple separate incisions, thus minimizing patient trauma while maintaining access to the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the internal spatial dimensions of the cannula by arranging instruments at different angular positions and depths within the cannula lumen. The guide channels are positioned at different radial and axial locations, effectively using three-dimensional space to accommodate multiple instruments without increasing the external cannula diameter significantly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple surgical instruments are introduced through a single cannula, then single port access is achieved, but instrument management and mobility become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle port access capabilityVSAvoidinstrument management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the internal space of the single cannula into multiple separate guide channels, each dedicated to a specific surgical instrument or camera. This segmentation allows each instrument to be independently guided and manipulated, preventing tangling and confusion while maintaining single port access. Each channel acts as an independent pathway that simplifies instrument management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces guide channels as intermediary structures between the cannula exterior and the surgical instruments. These guide channels serve as mediators that direct and constrain instrument movement, facilitating smooth passage and positioning of multiple instruments through the single cannula while maintaining their individual mobility and controllability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If robotic controllers are added to surgical instruments for precision control, then surgical precision is improved, but visibility and accessibility of the cannula is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical precisionVSAvoidcannula visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the robotic control mechanisms from the distal ends of the surgical instruments and positions them externally or in less critical locations. This allows the control electronics and actuators to be separated from the portions of instruments that need to pass through the cannula, reducing the profile and improving visibility of the cannula entrance while maintaining precision control capabilities at the surgical site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12533158B2Entry guide for multiple instruments in a single port surgical system

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS INC

AI summary

A surgical access port comprises a cannula comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion comprising a flexible section. The access port further comprises an instrument guide configured to be positioned within the cannula. The instrument guide comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of instrument guide channels between the proximal and distal ends of the instrument guide. Each instrument guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels defines a corresponding guide channel opening. An outside surface of the instrument guide fits closely to an inner wall surface of the cannula when the instrument guide is within the cannula. A guide channel opening of a first instrument guide channel of the plurality of instrument guide channels is open to the outside surface of the instrument guide.