Virtual Port Device for Gasless Laparoscopy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimally invasive surgical techniques face limitations due to the fixed position of access ports, which restricts surgical approaches, especially in obese patients and those with chronic respiratory or cardiac diseases, and can lead to inadequate visualization and loss of the surgical site due to gas insufflation.

Innovation Solution

A virtual port device that allows non-invasive, removably attached anchoring and lifting of cavity walls or internal organs using magnetic, suction, adhesive, or mechanical means, enabling movement and reattachment without creating additional openings, thus facilitating gasless laparoscopy and improving access to all abdominal walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed access ports are used for minimally invasive surgery, then the number of incisions is reduced, but the surgical approach is restricted and access to all abdominal walls is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurgical approach flexibilityVSAvoidaccess to surgical sites

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic anchoring devices that can be repositioned within the abdominal cavity after initial insertion through a single port. The device transitions from a fixed port system to a movable anchoring system, allowing the surgical team to access different abdominal walls by repositioning the anchoring device without making additional incisions. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by providing both minimal incisions and flexible surgical approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring device is divided into separable components including an introducer, anchoring element, and instrument holder that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows the device to be inserted through a single small incision, then deployed and repositioned to access multiple surgical sites, thereby achieving versatile surgical approach with minimal invasion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If gas insufflation is used to maintain working cavity, then the cavity remains visible and accessible, but positive pressure generation can be detrimental to obese patients and those with respiratory or cardiac diseases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecavity visibilityVSAvoidpositive pressure effects on patients

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the gas insufflation system with a mechanical lifting system. Instead of using gas pressure to maintain cavity visibility and access, the invention uses a mechanically actuated anchoring device that can be positioned and secured to provide stable access to the surgical site without generating harmful positive pressure. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects while maintaining surgical accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional ports are created to improve access to all abdominal walls, then surgical approach flexibility is enhanced, but the minimal invasive nature of the procedure is negated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to all abdominal wallsVSAvoidprocedural minimally invasive nature

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring device is designed as a universal platform that can access all abdominal walls through a single port. The device incorporates multiple functional elements including anchoring mechanisms, instrument holders, and repositioning capabilities that allow it to serve multiple surgical access needs without requiring additional incisions. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive abdominal wall access while maintaining the minimally invasive procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables more flexible and safe surgical procedures by allowing instruments to be moved freely within the cavity, reducing the need for gas insufflation, improving access to all surgical sites, and minimizing postoperative pain and recovery time.

Implementation Method 1

by magnetic attachment means

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

by suction attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

by adhesive attachment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive attachment: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8038612B2Virtual ports devices and method

Publication Date: 2011.10.18 VIRTUAL PORTS

AI summary

A device auxiliary to surgery, for anchoring and lifting cavity walls or internal organs of a patient. The device provides a virtual port, that is an instrument that can be non-invasively, or minimally invasively and removably attached to the undersurface of a patient's cavity, or to various tissues within a cavity, and to which various retracting means are attached. The device includes means allowing it to be moved from one position to another and reattached to the undersurface of the abdominal wall, or to various tissues within a cavity, without creating any additional openings in the cavity wall. The device includes means for attaching various retractors.