Single-Port Specimen Retrieval Device with Snare Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In minimally invasive surgical procedures, the need to introduce multiple trocars to access and retrieve tissue specimens increases the complexity, recovery time, and risk of complications such as port site infection and herniation, as each trocar creates additional peritoneal insults.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument comprising a grasper and a specimen retrieval bag that can be inserted through a single trocar port, with a snare loop actuator to deploy and close the bag around the specimen, allowing for simultaneous grasping and retrieval of tissue through a single incision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple trocars are used to access and retrieve tissue specimens, then the ability to capture and retrieve tissue is improved, but the number of peritoneal insults increases, leading to increased complexity, recovery time, and risk of complications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue capture and retrieval capabilityVSAvoidperitoneal insults

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the tissue grasping function and specimen retrieval function into a single integrated surgical instrument. The grasper captures tissue through the trocar while the collapsible bag surrounds and contains the specimen, allowing both functions to be performed through a single trocar insertion rather than requiring multiple separate instruments and trocars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where the collapsible specimen retrieval bag is positioned within or around the grasper assembly. The bag can collapse around the grasped tissue specimen, creating a contained package that is then retrieved through the same trocar. This nesting allows multiple functional elements to work together through a single access point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If multiple trocars are used for specimen retrieval, then complete specimen capture is achieved, but device complexity and procedure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen capture completenessVSAvoidnumber of trocars and instruments

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions (tissue grasping, specimen containment, and retrieval) into a single integrated instrument assembly. This eliminates the need for multiple separate trocars and instruments while maintaining complete specimen capture through the coordinated action of the grasper and collapsible bag.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The surgical instrument is designed with multi-functionality, where the same instrument performs tissue grasping, specimen containment, and retrieval operations. The grasper serves both to capture tissue and to facilitate bag deployment, while the collapsible bag provides both containment and retrieval functions, making the system universal for multiple surgical tasks through a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If multiple trocars are used, then access to surgical site is improved, but patient recovery time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical site accessVSAvoidpatient recovery time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By combining tissue capture and specimen retrieval into a single instrument passed through one trocar, the patent reduces the number of peritoneal punctures required. This minimizes surgical trauma and allows for faster patient recovery while maintaining adequate access to the surgical site for complete specimen retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If multiple trocars are used for tissue retrieval, then specimen retrieval capability is improved, but risk of complications such as port site infection and herniation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen retrieval capabilityVSAvoidport site complications

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines specimen containment and retrieval functions into a single integrated system that operates through one trocar. This reduces the number of port sites required, thereby minimizing the risk of port site infections and herniations while maintaining reliable specimen retrieval capability through the coordinated grasper and collapsible bag mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8172772B2Specimen retrieval device

Publication Date: 2012.05.08 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC

AI summary

A surgical instrument can be used to capture and retrieve tissue, or other specimens, from within the body of a patient through a single trocar port. The surgical instrument can include a grasper, wherein the grasper can be configured to capture a specimen, and a specimen retrieval bag, wherein the specimen retrieval bag can be configured to at least partially surround, or encapsulate, the captured specimen when the specimen retrieval bag is in a deployed position. In certain embodiments, the retrieval bag can be inverted as it is moved between undeployed and deployed positions. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument can further include a snare operably engaged with the specimen retrieval bag, wherein the snare can be configured to at least partially close the bag. A vacuum can be placed in communication with the bag to reduce the size of the bag before it is removed from the surgical site.