Trocar with Retractable Tip to Reduce Organ Injury
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trocar assemblies used in minimally invasive surgical procedures risk injury to internal organs due to high pressure and sudden counter-resistance when penetrating the abdominal wall, leading to potential organ damage and loss of control during surgery.
Innovation Solution
A trocar assembly with a retractable protection assembly that extends to cover a cutting component in a naturally biased position and retracts to expose it under pressure, reducing the pressure required for penetration and minimizing counter-resistance, while providing illumination and secure concealment of the blades once inside the body cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional trocars use a fixed sharp point to cut through tissue, then penetration capability is improved, but risk of internal organ injury increases due to high pressure and sudden counter-resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting component is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration enables the trocar to adapt during insertion: the cutting component extends only when needed to cut fascia and underlying tissue, then retracts to reduce pressure on internal organs, thereby maintaining penetration capability while minimizing injury risk
Solution Approach 2:
A retractable protection assembly acts as an intermediary between the cutting component and the tissue. This assembly controls the exposure of the cutting component, allowing it to extend through the open distal end of the shaft to cut fascia and underlying tissue, then retract to cover the cutting component once the abdominal cavity is accessed, thus mediating between penetration needs and organ safety
2Force
If high pressure is applied to penetrate the abdominal wall, then access to body cavity is achieved, but sudden counter-resistance causes jerking motions and loss of control
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting component's movable design allows it to extend and retract in response to applied pressure. During insertion, as pressure is applied to the head, the cutting component extends to cut tissue with reduced force requirements, then retracts when the abdominal cavity is accessed. This dynamic response reduces sudden counter-resistance and jerking motions, maintaining surgeon control throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the cutting component from retracted to extended and back to retracted based on the insertion phase. This parameter change allows the cutting component to be exposed only when needed for cutting fascia and underlying tissue, reducing the pressure required for penetration, and then concealed to minimize counter-resistance and maintain control during cannula insertion
3Ease of manufacture
If the cutting component is exposed during insertion, then cutting capability is improved, but safety is reduced due to potential organ damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting component transitions from a static exposed state to a dynamic system that can extend and retract. It extends to expose the cutting edge for cutting fascia and underlying tissue, then retracts to conceal the cutting component once the abdominal cavity is accessed, maintaining both cutting capability and safety through controlled movement
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable protection assembly serves as an intermediary that controls the exposure of the cutting component. It allows the cutting component to be exposed when needed for cutting fascia and underlying tissue, then retracts to cover the cutting component, ensuring safety during cannula insertion and positioning within the abdominal cavity
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
The trocar assembly reduces the risk of internal organ injuries by minimizing sudden jerking motions and counter-resistance, allowing for precise and controlled access to body cavities with reduced pressure, enhanced visualization, and safer surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a retractable protection assembly configured to one of extend and retract through the open distal end of the shaft. The retractable protection assembly may be configured to extend through the open distal end of the shaft to cover the cutting component in a naturally biased position. Additionally, the retractable protection assembly may be configured to retract from the open distal end of the shaft to expose the cutting component in a compressed position during application of pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Trocar assemblies and methods of use in minimally invasive surgical procedures are described. Such trocar assemblies include a head, a distally extending shaft including an open distal end, a cutting component extending through the open distal end, and a retractable protection assembly to extend and retract through the open distal end of the shaft. The retractable protection assembly extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component in a naturally biased position. Further, the retractable protection assembly retracts from the open distal end to expose the cutting component in a compressed position during application of body pressure to the retractable protection assembly until reaching a body cavity. Upon reaching the body cavity and removal of body pressure, the retractable protection assembly returns to the naturally biased position and extends through the open distal end to cover the cutting component.