Laparoscopic extraction forceps

Background

As minimally invasive surgeries become increasingly common, there is a growing need for specialized tools that can perform tasks without requiring the enlargement of port sites or incisions. Existing methods, such as morcellation or piecemeal tissue extraction, often lead to higher risks of patient damage, longer procedure times, and specimens that are difficult to reconstruct for pathological analysis. These limitations underscore the necessity for a more refined extraction device that enhances both patient safety and diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, the ability to handle suspected or confirmed cancerous tissues safely, while preserving margins, is crucial for accurate pathological evaluation and treatment planning.

Invention description

The laparoscopic extraction forceps addresses these challenges by providing a mechanism for safe and efficient tissue extraction without the need to expand incisions. The device is designed to facilitate the removal of specimens in a manner that preserves their integrity, making them suitable for pathological analysis post-extraction. It incorporates advanced segmentation capabilities to handle tissues within the confines of narrow laparoscopic ports and containment bags. Crucially, the forceps are designed to ensure that margins are better preserved, even when dealing with suspected or confirmed cancerous tissues, enhancing both safety and diagnostic accuracy.

Features

• Self-contained design: can be integrated into laparoscopic tools or robotic platforms
• Compatibility: fits within standard laparoscopic and robotic trocar port sizes
• Advanced segmentation: segments tissues within confined spaces, including retrieval bags
• Minimized tissue damage: maintains specimen margins and reduces destruction
• Safe operation: operable with or without direct visualization, reducing collateral damage risk
• Cancerous tissue handling: specifically designed to manage suspected or confirmed cancerous tissues with improved margin preservation.

Benefits

• Specimen integrity: preserves tissue margins for accurate pathological analysis
• No incision expansion: reduces the risk of patient re-herniation and complications
• Enhanced safety: limits collateral damage with a shielded blade area
• Efficient workflow: combines cutting and grasping mechanisms, reducing tool exchanges and operation time
• Cancer-specific advantages: Ensures better preservation of margins in cancerous tissues, facilitating accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Commercial applications

• Minimally invasive surgery: ideal for surgeons performing laparoscopic procedures
• Hospitals and clinics: benefits hospitals by lowering complication rates and improving patient outcomes
• Diagnostic pathology: enhances the quality of specimens for accurate pathological evaluation, including cancer diagnosis.

Opportunity

The development of this device presents a significant opportunity to improve the efficiency and safety of minimally invasive surgeries. With its ability to reduce incision size, preserve specimen integrity, and safely handle cancerous tissues, the device can address a critical gap in current surgical tools, offering substantial benefits to healthcare providers and patients alike. Initial proof of concept testing has been successful, with the device now advancing towards further validation and commercialization.

Patent

Provisional filing complete