Surgical Portal Seal System for Variable Instrument Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Minimally invasive surgical procedures face challenges in maintaining a seal around instruments of varying sizes within cannulas, as conventional seal assemblies are often complex, not adaptable to different instrument diameters, and difficult to maintain during extensive manipulation, especially in remote sites.
Innovation Solution
A surgical seal system comprising a seal assembly mountable to a cannula housing with an adapter assembly that includes a seal and a tether, allowing for adjustable sealing of instruments with different cross-sectional dimensions, using an elastomeric adapter body with a manual release tab and a resilient seal to accommodate instruments from 3 mm to 15 mm in diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional seal assemblies are used, then a seal can be maintained about the instrument, but the seal assembly is complex and not adaptable to instruments of various sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly is divided into separate components: a base seal assembly and interchangeable adapter assemblies. Each adapter is designed for specific instrument size ranges (e.g., 3-5mm, 5-10mm, 10-15mm), allowing the system to adapt to various instrument sizes without requiring a completely different seal assembly for each size.
Solution Approach 2:
The base seal assembly is designed with universal features that can accommodate multiple adapter types. The common ratchet mechanism, housing structure, and mounting interface allow a single base assembly to work with various adapters, creating a multi-functional system that handles different instrument sizes.
2Reliability
If conventional seal assemblies are used, then a seal can be maintained, but extensive manipulation of long narrow endoscopic instruments causes seal maintenance difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assemblies incorporate flexible or resilient seal elements that can dynamically adjust to instrument movement and manipulation. The seal material and structure are designed to accommodate the bending and positioning of long narrow endoscopic instruments while maintaining the seal integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cannula sizes are available, then instruments of various sizes can be accommodated, but the assembly process becomes more complex and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assemblies are pre-configured with specific seal dimensions and mounting features for different instrument size ranges. This preliminary preparation allows for quick identification and selection of the appropriate adapter without requiring complex assembly decisions during the surgical procedure.
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 system provides a flexible and efficient means to maintain a gas-tight seal for instruments of varying diameters, facilitating minimally invasive surgeries by allowing easy adaptation to different instrument sizes and reducing the complexity of assembly, thus enhancing surgical precision and reducing patient trauma.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient seal member molded thereto. The seal member defines inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument
Implementation Method 2
The adapter body may comprise an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical seal system is adapted for use with a cannula assembly having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing. The surgical seal assembly includes a seal assembly and an adapter assembly. The seal assembly is mountable to the cannula housing. The seal assembly includes a seal housing and a seal defining inner portions adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a first cross-sectional dimension. The adapter assembly includes an adapter body adapted for releasably coupling to the seal housing of the seal assembly. The adapter body has an adapter seal and a tether. The adapter seal is adapted to form a substantial seal about an instrument with a second cross-sectional dimension less than the first cross-sectional dimension. The tether is mountable to the cannula sleeve thus securing the adapter assembly to the cannula.