Surgical Access Device with Hyperbolic Tube and Gaseous Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical access devices face challenges in securely anchoring in abdominal incisions without causing trauma and in maintaining peritoneal pressure during minimally-invasive procedures, particularly under abdominal insufflation.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access device with a hyperbolic access tube and a plenum chamber that directs pressurized fluid to create a constant gaseous seal, combined with a pressure sensing chamber to monitor abdominal pressure, and deployable anchor elements for secure anchoring, all designed to prevent loss of insufflation fluid and ensure secure instrument access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the access tube is made with an expanded-diameter distal portion to inhibit removal from the incision, then the anchoring security is improved, but the trauma to the abdominal wall may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The access tube is given a hyperbolic shape in cross-section with an expanded-diameter distal portion. This curved, tapered geometry allows the tube to anchor securely in the incision while distributing mechanical stress more evenly across the tissue, reducing trauma compared to abrupt expansions or rigid anchoring structures.
2Reliability
If a plenum chamber with nozzles is used to create a constant gaseous seal around the surgical instrument, then the peritoneal pressure maintenance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A plenum chamber is defined within the housing that receives pressurized insufflation fluid and conducts it to at least one nozzle. The nozzle directs pressurized fluid in an axial direction from the plenum chamber into a central bore of the access tube to provide a constant gaseous seal around the surgical instrument, preventing loss of pressurized fluid from the body cavity.
Solution Approach 2:
The plenum chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as a pressure equalization chamber, a fluid distribution system, and a support structure for the nozzle assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while maintaining peritoneal pressure.
3Measurement precision
If a pressure sensing chamber is added to monitor abdominal pressure, then the pressure control accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plenum chamber is designed to serve dual purposes: maintaining peritoneal pressure through the gaseous seal and sensing abdominal pressure through fluid communication with the pressure sensor. This integration reduces the need for separate sensing chambers, managing device complexity while improving measurement precision.
4Ease of operation
If the access tube has a hyperbolic shape in cross section, then the anchoring and instrument movement are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hyperbolic cross-sectional shape of the access tube is designed to provide optimal anchoring in the incision while allowing unrestricted movement of surgical instruments. The curved geometry naturally distributes stresses and facilitates smooth instrument passage, with manufacturing tolerances that balance precision requirements with clinical effectiveness.
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 a secure, trauma-reducing anchoring mechanism that maintains peritoneal pressure and prevents fluid loss during procedures, allowing for unrestricted instrument movement and efficient insufflation management.
Implementation Method 1
direct pressurized fluid in an axial direction from the plenum chamber into a central bore of the access tube to provide a constant gaseous seal around a surgical instrument inserted therethrough, while inhibiting a loss of pressurized fluid from the body cavity therethrough
Implementation Method 2
A pressure sensing chamber can be defined within the housing, and be adapted and configured to be in fluid communication with the abdominal cavity of the patient to facilitate sensing of abdominal pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A surgical access device includes a proximal housing having proximal and distal end portions, the distal end portion of the housing being configured and adapted to engage a proximal portion of a flexible wound retractor. The proximal housing can be provided with a plenum chamber being defined therein, the plenum chamber being in fluid communication with at least one nozzle. The nozzle is preferably configured to direct pressurized fluid in an axial direction from the plenum chamber into a central bore of the surgical access device to provide a constant gaseous seal around a surgical instrument inserted therethrough, while inhibiting a loss of pressurized fluid from the body cavity therethrough. The plenum chamber can be adapted and configured to receive pressurized fluid and conduct the pressurized fluid to the at least one nozzle.