Trocar Assembly for Conditioned Insufflation Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering insufflation fluid during surgeries often require multiple incisions and do not allow for precise control or conditioning of the fluid, leading to potential complications such as hypothermia, peritoneal damage, and prolonged recovery times.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a primary trocar with a docking mount for robotic engagement and a secondary trocar with a double lumen and conditioning elements, which facilitates the delivery of heated and humidified insufflation fluid to a patient cavity through a robotically-controlled trocar assembly, creating a fluid seal and maintaining a constant flow path undisturbed by medical instruments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional methods are used to deliver insufflation fluid, then multiple incisions are required, but this increases surgical complexity and recovery time
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary trocar is positioned at least partially within the primary trocar, allowing both trocars to function through a single incision site. The inner lumen of the secondary trocar delivers insufflation fluid while the outer lumen accommodates medical instruments, effectively nesting one device within another to reduce the number of incisions required.
2Measurement precision
If conventional insufflation methods are used, then fluid delivery is possible, but precise control and conditioning of the fluid cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor is integrated into the inner lumen of the secondary trocar to directly measure pressure within the patient cavity, replacing indirect mechanical estimation methods. This enables precise digital measurement and control of insufflation pressure, allowing the system to maintain optimal pressure levels automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates heating and humidifying elements within the secondary trocar to modify the temperature and humidity parameters of the insufflation fluid before delivery. This conditioning ensures the fluid is at body temperature and appropriately humidified, preventing hypothermia and peritoneal damage while maintaining precise control over fluid properties.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If unconditioned insufflation fluid is delivered, then delivery is simple, but hypothermia and peritoneal damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and humidifying elements are positioned within the secondary trocar to pre-condition the insufflation fluid before it contacts the patient cavity. This preliminary action ensures the fluid reaches optimal temperature and humidity levels prior to delivery, preventing thermal injury and peritoneal damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary trocar acts as an intermediary device between the insufflation fluid source and the patient cavity. It incorporates heating and humidifying elements that modify the fluid properties, serving as a mediator that protects the patient cavity from harmful unconditioned fluid while enabling controlled delivery.
4Productivity
If a single trocar is used for both insufflation and instrument passage, then incisions are reduced, but the flow path is disturbed by instruments
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary trocar is divided into two separate lumens: an inner lumen for insufflation fluid delivery and an outer lumen for medical instrument passage. This segmentation allows both functions to occur simultaneously through a single incision site while maintaining independent, undisturbed flow paths. The insufflation fluid flows through the inner lumen without interference from instruments passing through the outer lumen.
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
This approach reduces surgical complications, minimizes incisions, provides accurate pressure measurements, and enhances recovery by delivering conditioned insufflation fluid at a predictable rate, reducing hypothermia, peritoneal damage, and post-operative pain.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more conditioning elements are configured to heat and/or humidify the insufflation fluid
Implementation Method 2
The one or more conditioning elements are configured to heat and/or humidify the insufflation fluid
Implementation Method 3
the at least one sensor is configured to determine a pressure measurement indicative of a pressure of the patient cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A method for supplying insufflation fluid to a patient cavity includes positioning a secondary trocar at least partially within a primary trocar, the secondary trocar being configured to facilitate delivery of insufflation fluid to a patient cavity. The method further includes, upon positioning the secondary trocar at least partially within the primary trocar, coupling the secondary trocar to the primary trocar thereby forming a trocar assembly. The method further includes coupling the primary trocar to a surgical robot and delivering the insufflation fluid to the patient cavity using the trocar assembly.