Visualization Trocar with Opaque Distal Tip and Tapered Facets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical insertion devices lack cost-effectiveness and ease of fabrication while providing visualization for puncturing the abdominal wall, as they are often complex and expensive due to the inclusion of transparent tips or integral endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
A surgical trocar with a penetrating tip featuring a transparent body having an opaque distal tip portion and inwardly tapered opposed facets, which can be manufactured through injection molding, allowing for visualization and minimizing glare, and optionally includes an optical path for imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a transparent tip or integral endoscope is included in the insertion device, then visualization capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the visualization function from complex endoscopic systems and implements it through a simple transparent tip that allows direct visual observation of tissue penetration without requiring integrated cameras, lights, or processing electronics
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent tip is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-use component that can be molded from transparent material, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable endoscopes while maintaining adequate visualization for the procedure
2Loss of information
If a transparent tip or integral endoscope is included in the insertion device, then visualization capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent tip is designed as a simple, inexpensive, single-use component that can be molded from transparent material, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable endoscopes while maintaining adequate visualization for the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter of the tip material from opaque to transparent, enabling visualization without adding complex optical systems, thereby maintaining low manufacturing costs while improving visual observation capability
3Ease of manufacture
If an opaque body is used in the insertion device, then manufacturing is simplified, but visualization capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making only the distal tip portion transparent while keeping the proximal portion opaque, allowing visualization at the critical penetration point while maintaining structural integrity and simplicity through the opaque body
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 solution enables cost-effective and easy-to-fabricate surgical trocars that provide clear visualization during tissue penetration, reducing the risk of internal organ injury and facilitating minimally invasive procedures by allowing surgeons to differentiate tissue layers effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The penetrating tip includes a generally transparent body... to allow visualization of tissue being penetrated
Implementation Method 2
The body has an opaque distal tip portion... to reduce glare
Data Source
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AI summary
A penetrating tip for surgical trocar is provided. The penetrating tip includes a generally transparent body having an opaque distal tip portion and an integral edge arranged at a distal end of the body. Inwardly tapered opposed facets are formed in the body, converging with one another at the integral edge. The opaque distal tip portion has a generally pyramidal shape. The inwardly tapered opposed facets are a pair of generally flat or planar first facets. The penetrating tip further comprises a pair of opposed second facets formed in the body intervening the pair of first facets and extending distally towards the integral edge.