Conceptual Design of a Novel Laparoscopic Instrument for Manipulation of Large Internal Organs

Manipulation of large internal organs, e.g., spleen, kidney, and liver, is a demanding but challenging task during laparoscopic surgery using conventional miniature instruments. Recently fingered hand instruments have been proposed for doing this task which are assembled/disassemble inside the patient’s abdomen [1–3]. They are not, however, feasible for use in real surgeries considering the substantial time needed for their setting up process. This paper describes the conceptual design of an effective laparoscopic instrument for manipulation of large human organs. A novel mechanism is presented which enables the instrument to pass through a 10 mm trocar to enter the abdominal cavity when it is closed, and grasp body organs, as large as 80 mm diameter, when it is opened. It is shown that the instrument can be used effectively for laparoscopic surgery operations without the need to an assembling/disassembling procedure.Copyright © 2010 by ASME