Surgical Access Assembly Fluid-Tight Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in maintaining a fluid-tight seal during hand-assisted laparoscopic surgeries, which can lead to the escape of insufflation gases and collapse of the surgical site, requiring a more effective surgical access assembly to ensure the integrity of the insufflated workspace.
Innovation Solution
A surgical access assembly comprising a sleeve assembly with a proximal and distal ring, a base member with a coupling mechanism, and a sealing assembly that securely interlocks with the sleeve assembly to maintain a fluid-tight seal, using a seal made of gel or silicone with a deflectable hook and elastic materials for enhanced sealing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal anchor is used to provide a fluid-tight seal, then the seal integrity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional sealing components and assembly mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing assembly is nested within the sleeve assembly structure, with the seal member positioned inside the sleeve and the proximal ring integrated into the base member. This nested configuration allows multiple sealing components to occupy the same spatial envelope, maintaining seal integrity while avoiding the need for separate external sealing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sealing function with the sleeve assembly structure itself. The seal member is integrated into the sleeve, and the proximal ring is formed as part of the base member, merging what could be separate components into a unified assembly that provides both structural support and sealing functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the sleeve is made rollable about the proximal ring, then the ease of operation is improved for hand insertion, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper sealing during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed with rollable capability about the proximal ring, transforming a static structure into a dynamic one that can rotate during insertion. This dynamic feature allows the surgeon to roll the sleeve over the proximal ring for easier hand insertion while the seal member maintains continuous contact with the base member throughout the rotation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member is configured as a flexible sealing structure that can accommodate the rolling motion of the sleeve. This flexibility allows the seal to maintain its sealing function even as the sleeve rotates about the proximal ring, reducing the need for extremely tight manufacturing tolerances while ensuring proper sealing.
3Reliability
If overlapping sealing members are used to enhance sealing, then the reliability of the seal is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing members are arranged in an overlapping configuration where one seal member is positioned within or adjacent to another, creating nested or layered sealing zones. This nesting approach provides redundant sealing paths that enhance reliability while containing the additional components within a compact volume, avoiding excessive device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a coupling mechanism is used to secure the sealing assembly, then the stability of the assembly is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism between the sealing assembly and sleeve assembly is designed to self-secure through the interengagement of the proximal ring and base member features. The rolling action of the sleeve during insertion automatically engages the coupling elements, providing stable fixation without requiring separate fastening operations, thus maintaining both stability and ease of assembly.
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 assembly effectively maintains a fluid-tight seal, allowing for the insertion of instruments or hands while preventing gas leakage, thereby ensuring the integrity of the insufflated workspace and facilitating more accessible and reliable minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a seal (388) made of gel or silicone
Implementation Method 2
a proximal ring (124) configured to prevent collapse of tissue
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A surgical access assembly (100) includes a sleeve assembly (120), a base member (150), and a sealing assembly (180). The sleeve assembly (120) includes a proximal ring (124), a distal ring (122), and a sleeve (126) defining a passage therethrough. The base member (150) includes an annular body including a coupling member. The annular body defines an opening in communication with the passage of the sleeve, and a circumferential groove configured to support the proximal ring of the sleeve assembly. The sealing assembly (180) includes an annular frame and a seal dimensioned to cover the opening of the base member in a sealing relation. The coupling member of the base member releasably secures the sealing assembly to the base member. The annular frame of the sealing assembly is configured to be in registration with the annular body of the base member such that the proximal ring is interposed between the base member and the sealing assembly.