MTP4291B - Mismef - Google Patents

Abstract

MISMEF Patent Application Abstract MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGICAL MULTIFUNCTIONAL END-EFFECTOR, MISMEF: A COMBINATION OF GRASPER, DISSECTOR, HOOK, BLADE, SUCTION AND IRRIGATION. ABSTRACT Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) is performed with MIS instruments which include an end-effector on the end of an elongated support tube opposite a handle. Currently available instruments have limited functionality and so surgical procedures requiring multiple functions are either performed with instruments through several incisions or else by repeatedly withdrawing and inserting instruments having the required functionality. Both approaches have drawbacks: in the former, the number of incisions must be minimized to reduce the post-operative pain and recovery time; and in the latter, the exchanging of instruments increase the operation time; surgeon looses train of thought and very expensive to keep the operating room adequately stocked with the range of instruments required by different surgeons for different surgical procedures. To further refine the MIS procedure and to further reduce the swapping of the instruments, the end-effectors need to be multifunctional. This novel invention, designated as MISMEF (Minimally Invasive Surgery Multifunctional End-Effector), aims in addressing the above mentioned problem through the design of a surgical end-effector offering a high degree of functionality (multifunctional) to reduce the repeated withdrawal and insertion of different instruments. MISMEF combines the working principle of 5 commonly used end-effectors in MIS, namely the grasper, dissector, hook, blade, and suction/irrigation. Maria Rita Muscat B.Eng (Hons)