Vaginal Seal Plug Assembly for Laparoscopic Specimen Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

The loss of pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) procedures leads to compromised visualization, increasing the risk of anatomical structure misidentification and inefficiency due to the escape of insufflated gas through the vaginal canal, necessitating time-consuming and haphazard use of gauze or sponges for sealing.

Innovation Solution

An adjustable plug integrated with the specimen retrieval device forms a seal within the vaginal canal, maintaining positive pressure and visualization by sliding and locking along the introducer tube, ensuring gas retention and enabling precise surgical maneuvers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gauze or surgical sponges are used to seal the vaginal canal, then gas escape is prevented, but procedure time increases and surgical precision is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is segmented into multiple independent balloons that can be individually inflated and positioned within the vaginal canal. This segmentation allows for precise sealing of the colpotomy site without requiring extensive manual manipulation of gauze or sponges, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing procedure time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (the balloon seal system) that mediates between the insufflated abdominal cavity and the vaginal canal. This intermediary structure provides a reliable seal without requiring direct manual intervention with gauze or sponges, improving both sealing effectiveness and surgical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If manual sealing with gauze or sponges is used, then gas retention is achieved, but surgical precision and efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepneumoperitoneum maintenanceVSAvoidsurgical precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon seal system is self-service in that it can be automatically inflated and positioned within the vaginal canal without requiring manual manipulation by the surgeon. The balloons self-seal around the colpotomy site, maintaining pneumoperitoneum while allowing the surgeon to focus on precise surgical maneuvers without being distracted by sealing tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual gauze or sponge insertion and adjustment with an automated balloon inflation system. This substitution eliminates the need for precise manual manipulation of sealing materials, thereby maintaining reliable gas retention while significantly improving surgical precision and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the vaginal canal is left open during specimen retrieval, then specimen extraction is simplified, but pneumoperitoneum is lost and visualization is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecimen retrievalVSAvoidvisualization quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The balloon seal system is dynamic in that it can be inflated to seal the vaginal canal during critical visualization phases and deflated or repositioned when specimen retrieval is needed. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different surgical requirements, maintaining pneumoperitoneum when needed while facilitating specimen extraction when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seal is applied periodically - inflated to maintain pneumoperitoneum during surgical maneuvers, then deflated or repositioned to allow specimen retrieval, and re-inflated to restore visualization. This periodic action between sealing and opening states allows the surgeon to maintain optimal visualization while still being able to retrieve specimens when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 integrated plug maintains pneumoperitoneum, enhancing surgical precision and reducing procedure time by preventing gas escape, thus improving the safety and efficiency of LAVH procedures.

Implementation Method 1

gases may be insufflated into the abdominal cavity to create a workspace, distending the cavity for more workroom for the surgeon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the seal portion disposed along a distal end of the plug assembly dimensioned and adapted to occlude a vaginal canal of a laparoscopic patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing/Occlusion: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS12484932B2Laparoscopic hysterectomy specimen retrieval device

Publication Date: 2025.12.02 DOERR DANIEL

AI summary

A laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy specimen retrieval device provides a plug assembly that rides along an outer circumference of the introducer tube. The plug assembly is moveable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. A distal end of the plug assembly provides a seal portion dimensioned and adapted to engage a vaginal cavity in a sealed engagement, whereat a user may form a locked condition to prevent insufflated gas from escaping the vaginal cavity while the retrieval bag of the laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy specimen retrieval device is deployed, utilized, and retracted into the introducer tube.