Trocar Support With Concealed Insufflation Port for Robotic Surgery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing minimally invasive surgical instruments face challenges such as limited tool placement flexibility, reduced tactile feedback, and non-intuitive instrument movement, which are addressed by integrating a trocar support system on a surgical robotic arm to enhance dexterity and sensitivity during robotic surgery.

Innovation Solution

A trocar is mounted onto a trocar support on the distal end of a surgical robotic arm, featuring an insufflation port that is either concealed or positioned to minimize interference, with seals to prevent leakage, and a mechanism for secure attachment to the arm, allowing for efficient delivery of insufflation fluid and tool insertion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional minimally invasive surgical instruments are used, then small incisions are formed in the abdomen, but the surgeon loses flexibility of tool placement and tactile feedback

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical flexibility and tactile feedbackVSAvoidtool placement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A robotic arm system acts as an intermediary between the surgeon and the surgical site, allowing the surgeon to operate from a remote console while the robotic arm provides precise tool placement and maintains tactile feedback through force reflection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical endoscopic instruments with a robotic system that uses computer-controlled actuators and sensors to achieve precise instrument manipulation, substituting direct mechanical control with automated robotic control that preserves surgical dexterity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If endoscopic instruments with added length are used, then access to abdominal cavity is achieved, but surgeon's ability to feel forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument lengthVSAvoidtactile feedback

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system incorporates force sensors at the instrument tips that detect tissue forces and provide real-time feedback to the surgeon through the control console, allowing the surgeon to feel forces despite the length of the instruments through electronic feedback loops

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If trocar support is added to robotic arm, then surgical dexterity is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical dexterityVSAvoidrobotic system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm system is designed with universal interfaces and modular components that can accommodate different surgical instruments and trocars, allowing a single system to perform multiple surgical functions without requiring separate specialized equipment for each procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12575857B2Trocar support

Publication Date: 2026.03.17 CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL

AI summary

Various trocars and trocar supports are provided for allowing an insufflation port on the trocar to be coupled through the trocar support to an insufflation fluid. In one embodiment, the trocar includes a housing, a cannula extending through the housing, and an insufflation port projecting from the housing. A trocar support is provided having an opening that receives the insufflation port on the housing such that the insufflation port is unobtrusive during use and can be connected and disconnected rapidly.