Trocar Obturator with Raised Elements for Atraumatic Tissue Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trocar assemblies for minimally invasive surgical procedures often cause trauma to tissues due to their sharp penetrating ends, and there is a need for a solution that minimizes tissue piercing while allowing for effective passage through tissues during procedures like endoscopic or laparoscopic surgeries.
Innovation Solution
The development of an obturator with a penetrating member featuring a series of raised elements arranged in diametrical opposition, providing atraumatic tissue passage by accommodating displaced tissue and offering a balance between incising capability and minimality of trauma, with features such as arcuate profiles and translucent materials for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sharp penetrating end is used on the obturator, then effective tissue piercing capability is achieved, but tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrating member is segmented into multiple raised elements (ribs) arranged in circumferential rows rather than a single sharp edge. Each raised element acts as an independent cutting edge, collectively providing effective tissue penetration while distributing the traumatic effect across multiple smaller contact points rather than one large sharp edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The raised elements feature arcuate or curved profiles rather than sharp angular edges. This curvature allows the elements to gradually displace and separate tissue fibers as they penetrate, reducing abrupt tissue disruption and trauma while maintaining effective piercing capability through the cumulative effect of multiple curved cutting edges.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a blunt obturator is used to avoid tissue piercing, then tissue trauma is reduced, but the ability to effectively penetrate and pass through tissue is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The obturator transitions from a uniformly blunt design to one with localized raised elements that concentrate cutting action at specific points. The raised elements create localized incising zones along the external surface, providing effective tissue penetration at these specific locations while the overall structure remains less traumatic than a traditional sharp blade.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the penetrating surface by creating raised elements with specific dimensions (height, width, spacing, and arcuate profile). These parameter modifications transform the tissue interaction from blunt displacement to controlled incising, achieving effective penetration with reduced trauma through optimized dimensional characteristics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If raised elements are added to the penetrating member, then tissue trauma is reduced while maintaining piercing capability, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The raised elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as cutting edges for tissue penetration, provide structural reinforcement to the penetrating member, create spacing for tissue displacement, and can be configured to facilitate instrument passage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, offsetting the increased complexity with functional consolidation.
Data Source
AI summary
An obturator for use in penetrating tissue includes an elongate member defining a longitudinal axis, and having a proximal end and a distal end, and a penetrating member adjacent the distal end of the elongate member. The penetrating member has a distal penetrating tip dimensioned to pass through tissue. The penetrating member defines an external wall leading toward the penetrating tip. The external wall includes a plurality of raised elements extending at least radially outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis and being in general longitudinal alignment. Adjacent raised elements are spaced along the longitudinal axis to thereby accommodate tissue displaced during passage of the penetrating member through tissue. The raised elements are dimensioned to be generally atraumatic to tissue. The raised elements may define an arcuate profile.