Surgical Instrument Positioning Device with Locking Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In minimally invasive surgical procedures, percutaneously inserted surgical instruments require multiple operators to maintain their position and orientation, limiting the surgeon's ability to perform other tasks as they need to constantly adjust and secure the instruments manually.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument positioning device comprising a base, a shuttle, and a locking mechanism that allows for adjustable orientation and translation of the instrument across six degrees of freedom, enabling the instrument to be locked in place, allowing the surgeon to free their hands for other tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If percutaneous surgical instruments are inserted directly into the body cavity, then the wound size is reduced and trauma is minimized, but the surgeon cannot leave the instruments unattended and must continuously manually adjust their position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewound size and traumaVSAvoidsurgeon's ability to attend to other tasks
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device enables the surgical instrument to maintain its own position and orientation automatically through the locking mechanism, freeing the surgeon from continuous manual adjustment. The device serves itself by providing stable positioning without requiring constant surgeon intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple percutaneous instruments are used to supplement trocar instruments, then the surgical capabilities are enhanced, but the number of operators required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgical capabilitiesVSAvoidnumber of operators
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device allows a single operator to manage multiple instruments by providing automatic positioning and locking capabilities. Each instrument equipped with the positioning device can maintain its position independently, reducing the need for additional operators to continuously adjust each instrument.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If the surgical instrument is held in fixed position manually, then the instrument can be precisely positioned, but the surgeon's hands are occupied and cannot perform other tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsurgeon's operational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning device with locking mechanism maintains the surgical instrument in the precisely positioned orientation automatically, allowing the surgeon to release their hands and perform other surgical tasks while the instrument remains stable and accurately positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3150150B1Adjustable access device for use with surgical instruments
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 ETHICON INC
  • EP3150150B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3150150B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3150150B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Devices and methods for positioning a surgical instrument are described herein. A positioning device includes a base that can be placed against tissue and a shuttle including a lumen that can receive a surgical instrument. The lumen can be translated in at least two directions relative to the base and an orientation of the lumen relative to the base can be polyaxially adjusted. Further, the device includes a locking mechanism that, upon actuation, prevents both translational movement and polyaxial movement of the lumen relative to the base.