Single-Port Transabdominal Drive System for Laparoscopic Surgery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic surgical techniques require multiple incisions and trocars, leading to increased trauma, wound complications, and limited ergonomics due to the need for triangulation, which complicates procedures and increases recovery time.
Innovation Solution
A transabdominal drive system that allows for the use of laparoscopic tools across a body cavity wall without leaving a scar, utilizing a modular instrument with a small diameter cannular shaft and a tool head that can be manipulated through a single puncture hole, enabling standard laparoscopic techniques with reduced trauma and improved ergonomics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple trocars are used for standard laparoscopic surgery, then surgical functionality and triangulation are improved, but surgical trauma and scarring increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate trocar functions are merged into a single multi-channel port system. The patent describes a single port with multiple channels that allows insertion of various surgical instruments simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate incisions while maintaining full surgical functionality including triangulation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single port system is designed to be universal, accommodating multiple different surgical instruments and functions through its multiple channels. This multi-functional design allows the single port to replace multiple specialized trocars while providing the same surgical capabilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a single-port system is used to reduce incisions, then scarring is minimized, but instrument manipulation and triangulation are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces articulating tool heads that add rotational and articulation dimensions to instrument manipulation. This allows instruments to achieve triangulation and proper positioning within the body cavity despite the constrained single-port entry, effectively adding movement dimensions that overcome the spatial limitations of single-port access.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating tool heads provide dynamic adjustment capabilities, allowing instruments to change their orientation and position flexibly within the body cavity. This dynamic positioning capability compensates for the static constraint of a single fixed port location, enabling effective triangulation and manipulation.
3Ease of operation
If articulating tool heads are used to restore triangulation, then instrument positioning is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The articulation mechanism is segmented into modular components with standardized interfaces. This segmentation allows the complex articulation functionality to be divided into manageable modules that can be manufactured, assembled, and maintained more easily, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining triangulation capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for abdominal surgery is disclosed. The system can have one or more end effectors that can be attached to an introducer and/or tray and inserted into the abdomen through a large puncture through the patient's umbilicus. The end effector can have a surgical tool, such as a grasper. The system can have a manipulatable control arm that can be inserted into the abdomen through a small puncture through the patient's body wall. The end effector can be attached to the control arm and simultaneously or concurrently detached from the introducer or tray. The control arm can then manipulate the end effector to perform the surgery.