Leak-Free Trocar System for Endoscopic Surgery (14003)
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- *Abstract
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Features and Benefits
- Prevents fluids from leaking when inserting or withdrawing endoscopic surgical instruments
- Improves ability to maintain insufflation gas pressure during laparoscopy
- Eliminates leakage of irrigation fluid and improves joint capsule pressure regulation during arthroscopic procedures, thereby improving fluid management, preventing contamination of the surgical field and surrounding area, and reducing patient complications from compartment syndromes
- Can be scaled up or down to accommodate a range of sizes of adult and pediatric endoscopic surgical instruments
*This technology is available for licensing, further development, or industrial partnering
Technology
Minimally invasive surgery is replacing many open surgical procedures as the primary method of access to anatomical structures requiring surgical intervention. The development of technology to enable access to internal body structures has been central to the success of minimally invasive surgery. Ports, also called trocars or cannula, are inserted through small openings in the skin. Trocars serve as the tunnel between the external environment and the internal body cavity. Surgical instruments are passed through the trocar and manipulated by the surgeon from a point completely external to the body.
Image 1: Proof-of-concept prototype leak-free endoscopic trocars for largerendoscopic instruments (10 to 12 mm, above) and smaller endoscopic instruments(4 to 5 mm, bellow).
Existing trocar designs may permit leakage of liquid or gas that often reflux through the trocar when instruments are inserted, withdrawn, or in place. This can result if the length comprising the functional components of a surgical instrument (e.g., the grasping arms and pivot point of an endoscopic grasper) exceeds the distance between the diaphragm seal and multi-leaflet valve, as such configuration may cause the functional end of the instrument to open the valve prior to engagement of the diaphragm seal around the shaft of the instrument. Leakage of fluid may contaminate the surgical field, and leakage of gas or irrigation fluid through the trocar reduces distension essential for operating in the confines of some anatomic structures.
Dr. Pantalos is developing a leak-free endoscopic trocar to pass endoscopic surgical instruments through the wall of a body compartment to the site of a surgical procedure. The design provides a double seal technology that prevents reflux of contents upon withdrawal and exchange of surgical instruments. It includes a multi-leaflet valve, spacer sleeve, primary dual-taper diaphragm seal, an end cap and, optionally, a secondary diaphragm seal to block fluid and gas from escaping the body cavity through the access port. The dual-tapered portion of the diaphragm seal enables accommodation of a range of endoscopic instrument sizes and allows some off-axis movement of the instrument without disrupting the engagement of the diaphragm seal with the instrument shaft.
Technology Status
- IP Status: Patent Pending, International Patent App. No. PCT/US15/063125,“Trocar for improved fluid pressure management during endoscopic surgery,” Pub.No. WO2016/089828A1
- Development Status: Concept prototype created; design verification testing underway with effective, leak-free performance up to 100 mm Hg consistently achieved; performed well during fresh tissue surgical procedures
- Country/Region
- USA
