Surgical Dilating Member with Atraumatic Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical instruments often require substantial force to dilate access points during endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures, leading to potential tissue damage and trauma.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a dilating member featuring atraumatic edges and a tapered, polygonal cross-section at the distal end, designed to minimize tissue trauma by reducing surface contact and adhesion during dilation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional surgical instrument tips are used to dilate access points, then the dilation function is achieved, but substantial force is required and tissue damage or trauma occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The dilating member features a substantially rounded tip and curved surfaces instead of sharp edges or flat surfaces. This rounded geometry allows the instrument to gently stretch and dilate tissue by distributing force across a curved surface, preventing concentrated stress points that would cause tissue damage or trauma during the dilation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The dilating member incorporates an atraumatic edge member that extends outwardly from the outer surface, creating a localized protective feature at the critical tip region. This edge member is specifically designed with rounded contours and smooth transitions to minimize tissue trauma while maintaining the structural integrity needed for effective dilation.
2Force
If conventional instrument tips are used, then dilation is achieved, but substantial force is required which increases the risk of tissue trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The substantially rounded tip and curved surfaces of the dilating member enable tissue dilation through gradual stretching rather than forced penetration. The curved geometry distributes applied force across a broader area of tissue, reducing peak stress concentrations and allowing dilation to proceed with less overall force while minimizing the risk of tissue trauma.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the dilating member has a tapered profile with rounded vertices, then tissue trauma is minimized, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The dilating member incorporates a substantially rounded tip and curved surfaces that taper along the longitudinal axis. This curved geometry minimizes tissue trauma by distributing stress evenly during insertion and dilation, while the tapering profile maintains structural efficiency. The combination of rounding and tapering creates a biomimetic shape that naturally reduces tissue disruption without requiring additional complex components or mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument for use with a surgical portal apparatus is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft and a dilating member disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The elongate shaft has proximal and distal ends and defines a longitudinal axis. The dilating member has an outer surface that includes at least one atraumatic edge member. The at least one atraumatic edge member extends proximally from a tip of the dilating member. The dilating member has a first substantially triangular cross-section disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis.