ABSTRACT
The authors present their prototype of a system for electrical conduction in direct contact with laparoscopic tools, devised, designed and produced by them at the Politecnico di Torino Department of Mechanical Engineering. The system consists of a two-sided plate, one side being a non-conducting adhesive surface to stick to the surgical glove and the other a thin, flexible conductor shell. The authors used the instrument with surgical tools with metal handles during 4 laparoscopic procedures. Nowadays the method commonly used to electrify laparoscopic tools is by using a wire plugged to a fixed conducting point on the instrument. The prototype described here was devised and produced to avoid some of the awkwardness encountered during the numerous manoeuvres required to connect and disconnect the wire at the time of surgical intervention. This device permits the direct transfer (by contact) of electrical energy from the wire to surgical tools. The advantage is greater rapidity in changing surgical tools, with the possibility of immediately obtaining an electrified instrument in the surgeon's hand.
Subject(s)
Laparoscopy , Electric Conductivity , Equipment Design , Surgical InstrumentsABSTRACT
The Authors present their prototype of a thread-passer for laparoscopic use, devised, designed and produced by them. The prototype was made at the Politecnico di Torino, Department of Mechanical Engineering. This tool consists of a rod measuring 12 mm in diameter, with a curved dove-tailed slotted end to lodge and pass the surgical thread. A 5-mm diameter operative canal passes through the instrument to permit the passage of a dissector to grasp the thread. The Authors used the instrument during three cholecystectomies and three appendectomies. The aim is to pass the thread around an anatomical structure without any loose ends, using only one port to favour surgical manoeuvres and avoiding the use of much more expensive devices.
