Three-Layer Laparoscopic Bag for Safe Specimen Morcellation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic surgery methods face challenges in safely removing large specimens without risking tumour seeding or port-site metastasis, as existing Endo-Bags are prone to rupture and do not fully enclose the surgical plume, especially when using morcellation techniques.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic bag with three layers – a waterproof inner layer, a middle layer resistant to morcellation, and a waterproof outer layer – provides a secure environment for specimen morcellation, along with a laparoscopic port and sheath for safe specimen removal, minimizing the risk of tumour seeding and port-site metastasis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional Endo-Bag with one or two layers of thin flexible film is used, then the bag can be easily inserted through the port incision, but the bag is prone to rupture by sharp instruments during morcellation, creating a risk of tumour seeding
Solution Approach 1:
The laparoscopic bag is constructed with a composite structure comprising an inner layer of waterproof material, a middle layer of tear-resistant material, and an outer layer of waterproof material. This multi-layer composite design provides both ease of insertion and resistance to rupture during morcellation, eliminating the risk of tumour seeding while maintaining operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag is divided into distinct functional layers: an inner waterproof layer for specimen containment, a middle tear-resistant layer for mechanical strength during morcellation, and an outer waterproof layer for additional protection and plume enclosure. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally.
2Reliability
If a Endo-Bag with drawstring closure is used, then the bag can be closed to contain the specimen, but the surgical plume is not fully enclosed, allowing tumour cells to escape and causing port-site metastasis
Solution Approach 1:
The bag employs flexible waterproof layers that form a complete enclosure around the specimen and surgical plume. The inner and outer waterproof layers create a sealed environment that fully contains the plume, preventing tumour cell escape and port-site metastasis while maintaining the ability to be inserted through the port incision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bag structure creates nested containment: the inner waterproof layer encloses the specimen, the middle layer provides structural support, and the outer waterproof layer encloses the entire assembly including the surgical plume. This nested structure ensures complete enclosure of all potential contamination sources.
3Productivity
If the port incision is enlarged to remove large specimens as a whole, then the specimen can be removed without morcellation, but the advantages of laparoscopic surgery (reduced pain, blood loss, scarring) are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The bag enables segmentation of the specimen through morcellation while maintaining minimal incision size. The tear-resistant middle layer allows sharp instruments to cut the specimen into smaller pieces within the bag, which can then be removed through the original small port incision, preserving the minimally invasive benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The laparoscopic bag acts as an intermediary device that facilitates morcellation of large specimens while maintaining a small port incision. The bag contains the specimen during the morcellation process and allows the fragmented pieces to be removed through the same small incision, eliminating the need to enlarge the incision.
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscopic bag, wherein the laparoscopic bag comprises one opening which is in a top portion, and a body portion, wherein the laparoscopic bag comprises an inner layer which is waterproof, a middle layer which is resistant to morcellation, and an outer layer which is waterproof.