Trocar Stability Assembly with Rotating Cannula Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Previous stability assemblies for trocar cannulas in laparoscopic surgery had complex lock mechanisms, increasing manufacturing and assembly costs, and were difficult for users to engage, compromising their effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A stability assembly with a simplified locking mechanism that includes a stability member, base, and cannula retention member, featuring a conical outer surface and a rotatable retention member that adjusts between two inner diameters to securely attach to the cannula, ensuring reliable sealing and easy operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complex lock mechanisms are used in stability assemblies, then the stability members can be selectively positioned and repositioned, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase and the mechanisms become difficult to engage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective positioning capabilityVSAvoidlock mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stability assembly is divided into separate components: a stability member with external features and a base with corresponding internal features. The retention member is separated into a distinct component that rotates independently, allowing each part to be manufactured separately and assembled simply, while maintaining the selective positioning capability through the interaction of segmented features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retention member is designed to be rotatable between different positions, dynamically changing the inner diameter of the passage. This dynamic adjustment allows the stability assembly to selectively position and secure the cannula at different locations along the stability member, providing versatility without requiring complex locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If complex lock mechanisms are used in stability assemblies, then the stability members can be securely retained, but the manufacturing costs and assembly difficulties increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula retention securityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retention function is merged into the rotatable retention member that works in conjunction with the base and stability member. Instead of separate complex locking components, the retention security is achieved through the combined action of the conical outer surface, the passage with constriction, and the rotatable retention member that defines a variable inner diameter, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base is positioned at least partially within the lumen of the stability member, and the retention member is positioned within the passage of the base. This nested arrangement allows compact construction where smaller components fit within larger ones, reducing the overall number of parts and simplifying manufacturing and assembly while maintaining secure retention capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex lock mechanisms are used, then the stability members can be repositioned, but the user engagement difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositioning capabilityVSAvoiduser engagement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention member is designed to rotate freely between a first position and a second position, allowing users to easily reposition the stability assembly along the cannula. This dynamic rotational movement provides a simple, intuitive operation that maintains repositioning capability without requiring complex locking or unlocking procedures, greatly improving ease of user engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If the inner diameter is reduced to secure the cannula, then the cannula retention is improved, but the passage becomes more constricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannula securityVSAvoidpassage inner diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The inner diameter of the passage is made dynamic through the rotatable retention member. When the retention member rotates to the second position, a portion advances over the constriction, reducing the inner diameter to securely retain the cannula. When rotated to the first position, the inner diameter increases to allow cannula insertion and movement. This dynamic diameter adjustment provides both secure retention and ease of cannula placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8597250B2Trocar stability assembly

Publication Date: 2013.12.03 APPL MEDICAL RESOURCES CORP

AI summary

A stability assembly for a trocar cannula includes a conical stability member, a base, and a cannula retention member. The base has a passage defining an inner surface, and a constriction in the passage. The cannula retention member is rotatable within the passage, and advancement of the cannula retention member over the constriction reduces the inner diameter of the passage to restrain a cannula in the passage. Various latch mechanisms including interface surfaces on the base and the cannula retention member can be used in the stability assembly to secure the stability assembly around a cannula. Various conical stability members can be used in the stability assembly.