Telescopic Bag Brim for Variable Specimen Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Minimally-invasive surgical procedures face challenges in retrieving large tissue specimens due to restricted access and the need to prevent cancer cell seeding, with existing devices often being oversized and expensive, and requiring specimen breakdown.

Innovation Solution

A telescopically movable tissue specimen retrieval device with a bag brim that can adjust its diameter from 2 to 6 inches, using a shape memory alloy or other materials, allowing for variable deployment to accommodate different specimen sizes and prevent cancer cell seeding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-diameter bag brim is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to tissue specimens of different sizes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different specimen sizesVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bag brim is designed with telescopic shafts that allow dynamic adjustment of the brim diameter. The shafts can extend and retract to change the overall diameter of the bag brim, enabling adaptation to different specimen sizes while maintaining a relatively simple base structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bag brim is divided into multiple segments or shafts that can move independently. This segmentation allows the structure to be adjusted in a controlled manner, with each shaft contributing to the overall diameter adjustment capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If an oversized bag brim is used, then large specimens can be accommodated, but the device is difficult to maneuver through minimally-invasive openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen size accommodationVSAvoidmaneuverability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bag brim diameter is made dynamically adjustable through telescopic shafts. During insertion through minimally-invasive openings, the shafts remain retracted providing a compact profile. Once positioned, the shafts can be extended to accommodate larger specimens, optimizing both maneuverability and specimen capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic shafts are nested within each other in a compact configuration during insertion. This nesting allows the bag brim to pass through small openings in a compressed state, then expand to larger diameters when needed for specimen retrieval

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If shape memory alloy is used for the bag brim, then the device can be deployed minimally-invasively, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally-invasive deploymentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The material properties of the bag brim are changed by utilizing shape memory alloy's phase transition characteristics. The material can be deformed at lower temperatures or stresses during insertion, then returns to its original shape when heated or unloaded, enabling minimally-invasive deployment without requiring excessive force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines shape memory alloy with traditional metallic materials in a composite structure. The shape memory alloy provides the deployment mechanism while traditional materials provide structural support, allowing cost optimization by using expensive materials only where their unique properties are needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables efficient retrieval of tissue specimens of varying sizes within minimally-invasive surgical environments while maintaining sterility and reducing the need for oversized devices, enhancing surgical maneuverability and visibility.

Implementation Method 1

using a shape memory alloy or other materials, allowing for variable deployment to accommodate different specimen sizes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS11344284B2Tissue specimen retrieval device with variable bag brim

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A tissue specimen retrieval device includes a first shaft having a first end of a bag brim for supporting a tissue specimen bag attached thereto and a second shaft including a second end of the bag brim attached thereto. The second shaft is telescopically movable within the first shaft between a retracted position, wherein the bag brim is disposed within the first shaft, a first deployed position, wherein a portion of the second end of the bag brim deploys distally from the first shaft forming a substantially circular enclosure having a first diameter for supporting the tissue specimen bag thereon, and one or more further deployed positions wherein the portion of the second end of the bag brim deploys further distally from the first shaft increasing the diameter of the substantially circular enclosure for supporting the tissue specimen bag thereon.