UV Tacking Grasper for Mesh Implant Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional articulating surgical instruments have limited functionality due to mechanical design limitations, making it difficult to access and manipulate tissue effectively during endoscopic procedures, especially when small incisions are required for minimal scarring and faster healing.
Innovation Solution
A surgical instrument with a UV light mechanism integrated into the grasper, allowing for UV tacking of a mesh with a reactive polymeric coating, which is activated by the UV light to secure the mesh to the surgical site, providing a wider range of articulation functions and improved tissue manipulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional articulating tool tips are used, then the surgical instrument can be inserted through small incisions, but the functionality at the articulation tip is limited due to mechanical design limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (grasping, UV light emission, and articulation) into a single integrated end effector assembly. The UV light mechanism is integrated into the grasper structure, allowing the same component to perform both mechanical manipulation and chemical bonding functions, thereby increasing versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The end effector assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: mechanical grasping of tissue/mesh, emission of UV light for polymer activation, and articulation for positioning. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate instruments, enhancing adaptability at the articulation tip
2Object-affected harmful factors
If small incisions are used for endoscopic procedures, then scarring and trauma are reduced, but the tolerances between the surgical instrument and cannula inner diameter become very small
Solution Approach 1:
The surgical instrument is divided into distinct functional modules: a body portion for insertion through the cannula, and a separable end effector assembly that can be artically positioned. This segmentation allows the main body to maintain small profile for minimal incision while the articulated end effector provides the necessary functional clearance and manipulation space
3Adaptability or versatility
If a UV light mechanism is integrated into the grasper, then UV tacking functionality is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light mechanism is merged with the grasper structure, sharing common components such as the housing, actuation mechanisms, and positioning systems. This integration allows the UV lighting function to be added without requiring a completely separate device, thereby increasing versatility while limiting the growth of overall device complexity
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 UV tacking mechanism enhances the functionality of surgical instruments by securely attaching the mesh to the surgical site, reducing scarring and trauma, and allowing for more precise and effective tissue manipulation during minimally invasive procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The mesh includes one or more tack regions each having a polymer coating embedded therein, the polymer coating being chemically induced by a UV light of the UV light mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical instrument is provided including a handle portion and a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument also includes a grasper disposed at a distal end of the body portion, the grasper including an ultraviolet (UV) light mechanism for performing UV tacking of an implant. The implant is positioned between the first and second jaw members of the grasper: (i) to be placed at a surgical site and (ii) to be exposed by a UV light emitted from the UV light mechanism such that the UV tacking of the implant to the surgical site is performed.