Split Sheath Trocar Assembly for Minimally Invasive Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for accessing and treating body cavities formed by tissue removal, such as after a biopsy or lumpectomy, are inconvenient due to the need for large accessing pathways and require complex procedures for placing treatment devices like balloon catheters.
Innovation Solution
A trocar assembly with a split sheath that allows for a smaller initial penetration and easy deployment of treatment devices, such as radiation balloon catheters, by creating a releasable connection that facilitates the removal of the trocar sheath without disturbing the treatment device, enabling more direct and efficient access to the cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional balloon catheter is placed into a body cavity after tissue removal, then treatment can be delivered to the cavity site, but a large accessing pathway is required and the procedure is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into two distinct parts: a first portion that remains in the body cavity and a second portion that is removed through the access pathway. This segmentation allows the treatment device to be delivered through a smaller pathway while maintaining the ability to access the cavity site effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the sheath is extracted through the access pathway after serving its purpose of guiding the treatment device. This extraction allows for a smaller initial access pathway while still enabling successful delivery of the treatment device to the cavity site.
2Ease of operation
If the sheath is designed to guide treatment devices, then device placement is facilitated, but the sheath must be removed without disturbing the treatment device
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented into a first portion that remains with the treatment device and a second portion that is removed. The first portion includes a retention feature that maintains reliable connection to the treatment device while the second portion can be independently removed through the access pathway.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the sheath is extracted through the access pathway while the first portion remains in place to maintain the treatment device position. This selective extraction allows sheath removal without disturbing the treatment device.
3Ease of operation
If a small access pathway is used, then patient convenience is improved, but the sheath cannot be easily removed from the treatment device
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented such that the first portion remains in the body cavity with the treatment device while the second portion is removed through the small access pathway. This segmentation enables both small pathway access and easy sheath removal without disturbing the treatment device.
Solution Approach 2:
The second portion of the sheath is extracted through the small access pathway after guiding the treatment device into position. This extraction mechanism enables convenient patient access while maintaining the ability to remove the sheath portion that facilitates device placement.
Data Source
AI summary
A trocar assembly including a trocar and a trocar sheath and methods for accessing an intracorporeal site, e.g. biopsy or trocar site, using the trocar assembly. The trocar has a tissue penetrating distal tip, an elongated shaft and a proximal handle portion. The distal portion of the trocar sheath forms a releasable connection, such as a friction fit, with the shaft of the trocar and a slit that extends from the distal portion to the proximal end of the trocar sheath. The trocar assembly is advanced through the patient's tissue until the distal end of the trocar sheath is located at the desired site and then the trocar is removed. A treatment device such as a radiation balloon catheter is advanced through the interior of the sheath until the treatment component thereof is at the desired site.