Surgical Tool Introducer Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assembling laparoscopic surgical instrumentation through remote entry points in a body cavity poses challenges such as safely engaging and assembling parts without harming nearby tissues or organs, and doing so quickly and efficiently, while minimizing the burden on the surgeon.
Innovation Solution
A tool introducer system that includes a straight tube with a lumen for introducing surgical tools, locking means to secure tools axially and rotationally, and visualization or lighting means for precise alignment and assembly, allowing tools to be connected to a manipulator shaft with a diameter of 3 mm or less, which can be extended through a laparoscopic port for assembly within the body cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If surgical tools are assembled through remote entry points in the body cavity, then the number of ports is reduced and invasiveness is minimized, but the risk of tissue damage during assembly increases and assembly time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
A guide wire is introduced as an intermediary element that extends from the distal end of the first tool into the body cavity. This guide wire serves as a physical mediator that facilitates the alignment and assembly of the second tool with the first tool by providing a tracked path through the body cavity, thereby reducing tissue damage risk while maintaining efficient assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct manual mechanical assembly through the port with a guided mechanical system. The guide wire substitution transforms the assembly process from direct hand-held tool manipulation to a guided system where the guide wire provides mechanical tracking and alignment, reducing the complexity and time of the assembly operation.
2Ease of operation
If surgical tools are assembled under laparoscopic vision through remote entry points, then single-port surgery is enabled, but the difficulty of locating and engaging parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire acts as a visual and physical intermediary that extends into the body cavity, providing a tracked reference that simplifies the detection and localization of the distal end of the first tool. This mediator makes the assembly target visible and accessible under laparoscopic vision, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing detection difficulty.
3Productivity
If the distal end of the first tool is positioned close to the port for easy access, then assembly speed increases, but the risk of dropping the tool before engagement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire serves as a secure intermediary that physically connects the distal end of the first tool to the port area. This intermediary provides mechanical support and tracking, allowing the distal end to be positioned optimally for fast assembly while the guide wire prevents accidental dropping by providing continuous structural support throughout the body cavity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C~2D
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A tool introducer is configured for introduction in an elongated body including a straight tube, wherein the tube encloses a tube lumen opened at its distal end with a tube opening. The tool introducer includes locking means to selectively lock or unlock an 5 interchangeable surgical tool to the tube from displacing axially and/or rotationally in the tube lumen, the locking means being configured such that, at the locking, a tool connector of the tool projects towards the tube opening and is distanced therefrom by at least 3 cm. A method includes positioning the surgical tool introducer such that a distal portion thereof projects in a body cavity, manipulating and/or extending the tool 10 introducer to reach and engage an elongated shaft introduced percutaneously into the body cavity; and inserting the elongated shaft into the tube lumen via the tube opening and connecting the tool to the elongated shaft.