Trocar Sealing Gland Using Segmented Iris Valve Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional trocar systems are bulky, complex, and expensive, with mechanical valves that are inflexible and prone to failure, making them difficult to use and costly for endoscopic surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A trocar system with a unique valve design featuring a flexible, annular-shaped valve opening and a sealing gland composed of multiple interweaved valve sections, allowing for secure sealing of tools with varying diameters and reducing manufacturing costs, while enhancing flexibility and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mechanical valves are used in trocar systems, then sealing function is provided, but the device becomes bulky, complex, and expensive with increased risk of mechanical failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical failure riskVSAvoidvalve assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into multiple separate valve sections (first valve section, second valve section, third valve section) that can move independently relative to each other. Each valve section has its own seal that contacts the tool shaft, allowing the valve to handle tools of varying diameters while maintaining simplicity and reliability of individual components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The valve sections are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust dynamically to accommodate tools of different diameters. The valve sections can slide along the tool shaft and adjust their positions to maintain sealing contact, providing adaptability without complex mechanical mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed sealing valves are used, then sealing is provided for specific tool diameters, but flexibility to accommodate varying tool diameters is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool diameter accommodationVSAvoidhandling flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The valve sections are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust dynamically to accommodate tools of different diameters. The valve sections can slide along the tool shaft and adjust their positions to maintain sealing contact, providing adaptability without complex mechanical mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve structure can change its effective sealing parameters by adjusting the positions of individual valve sections along the tool shaft. This allows the same valve assembly to adapt to different tool diameters by changing the configuration and position of its components, maintaining versatility while simplifying operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multi-component mechanical valves are used, then sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing cost and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidvalve manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The valve is divided into multiple separate valve sections (first valve section, second valve section, third valve section) that can move independently relative to each other. Each valve section has its own seal that contacts the tool shaft, allowing the valve to handle tools of varying diameters while maintaining simplicity and reliability of individual components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each valve section incorporates a flexible seal (such as an elastomeric seal) that can deform to maintain contact with the tool shaft. This flexible sealing approach provides reliable sealing for tools of different diameters while simplifying the overall valve structure and reducing manufacturing complexity compared to rigid multi-component mechanical valves

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 system provides a cost-effective, flexible, and user-friendly solution for endoscopic procedures by ensuring secure sealing of tools with varying diameters, reducing the risk of mechanical failure, and simplifying handling for medical personnel.

Implementation Method 1

a layer of elastomeric material positioned between and contacting each of the first and second layers of the fabric material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7798991B2Trocar and cannula assembly having variable opening sealing gland and related methods

Publication Date: 2010.09.21 KARL STORZ ENDOVISION INC

AI summary

A trocar system for endoscopic surgery, cap assembly, and related methods are provided. The cap assembly includes a housing with an opening formed in line with an axis of the housing. The cap assembly also includes a variable opening flexible sealing gland having a stack of valve body sections each including a valve extension extending from a valve ring and having a valve opening and a slit extending between a valve opening and the valve ring. The combination of the individual valve body sections forms a substantially conically shaped iris diaphragm portion of the sealing gland. The iris is positioned to individually and separately receive elongate tools so that when any one of the elongate tools is positioned through the valve opening, a seal is maintained between peripheries of the seal gland surrounding the iris and outer peripheries of the inserted elongate tool.