Development of a collapsible guard component for a novel surgical instrument

Abstract

The Endoblend is a novel surgical device for use in laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery. Laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery requires that the uterus be removed through a laparoscopic port. To achieve this, the Endoblend liquefies the uterus through the use of cutting blades. The Endoblend has a stem containing aspiration tubes, irrigation tubes and power transmission elements. A spinning blade is attached at the end of this stem for the purpose of liquefying previously separated tissues such that they can be removed from the abdominal cavity through the aspiration tubes. In order to effectively process the tissues, they must be placed with a sealed enclosure. This enclosure is at risk of being compromised by the spinning blades and therefore the need arises for a guard module to prevent this. The guard module must function to direct the tissue towards the blades and prevent any tearing of the enclosure. It must also be capable of fitting through a 15 mm laparoscopic port. A guard has been developed comprising of three Nitinol rings and an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber. The guard's functionality has been tested and the guard is capable of meeting all the functional requirements.