Enhanced Systems and Methods for Efficient Large Tissue Specimen Removal

Publication ID: 24-11857216_0006_PTD
Published: November 07, 2025
Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Systems and Methods for Efficient Large Tissue Specimen Removal,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857216_0006_PTD, Published November 07, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857216_0006_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,216.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present disclosure relates to improved systems and methods for removing large tissue specimens from internal body cavities, featuring adjustable access cannula diameters, reinforced containment bags, and advanced insufflation control mechanisms to enhance safety, efficiency, and precision.

Background and Problem Solved

Minimally-invasive surgical procedures often require the removal of large tissue specimens from internal body cavities. Existing systems and methods, as described in the original patent, have limitations in terms of tissue size accommodation, containment bag durability, and internal body cavity pressure control. The present inventive concept addresses these limitations by introducing novel features that improve the overall removal process.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced system comprises an access cannula with an adjustable diameter to accommodate varying tissue sizes, ensuring a secure and efficient removal process. The containment bag features reinforced seams for enhanced durability and a built-in tissue grasping mechanism to securely hold the tissue specimen. An insufflation port with a pressure sensor monitors internal body cavity pressure, allowing for controlled insufflation fluid application and maintaining optimal pressure during removal. Additionally, the system may include a modular access cannula with interchangeable components, a real-time visualization system, and a robotic-assisted access cannula with enhanced dexterity and precision. These features collectively improve the safety, efficiency, and precision of large tissue specimen removal.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present inventive concept introduces several novel features that distinguish it from the original patent, including the adjustable access cannula diameter, reinforced containment bag seams, and advanced insufflation control mechanisms. These features, individually and collectively, provide a non-obvious solution to the limitations of the original patent, enhancing the overall removal process and providing a significant improvement over existing systems and methods.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in access cannula design, containment bag materials, and insufflation control mechanisms. For example, the access cannula could be designed with a telescoping feature or a detachable distal tip for easy cleaning and maintenance. The containment bag could be made of different materials or have varying degrees of reinforcement. The insufflation control mechanism could be integrated with a real-time visualization system or utilize machine learning algorithms to optimize pressure control.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced systems and methods for large tissue specimen removal have significant commercial potential in the medical device industry, particularly in the fields of minimally-invasive surgery and laparoscopic procedures. The target market includes hospitals, surgical centers, and medical research institutions, with potential for widespread adoption and significant revenue growth.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61B17/3421
A A61 A61B17/00234
A A61 A61B2017/00287
A A61 A61B2017/320024
A A61 A61B2017/320775
A A61 A61B2017/3484
A A61 A61B2017/3486

Field of Art

Minimally invasive surgical techniques, specifically medical devices for tissue specimen removal and surgical access systems, requiring advanced knowledge of medical device design, surgical instrumentation, and biomechanical engineering

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or surgical device designer with expertise in minimally invasive surgical technologies, familiar with medical device design principles, material science, and surgical access methodologies

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent incremental improvements to the source patent's core tissue removal system, utilizing standard design optimization techniques and known surgical device modification strategies. The proposed enhancements like adjustable cannula diameter, reinforced containment bags, and pressure monitoring represent predictable engineering solutions to known limitations in existing tissue removal systems. These modifications would be considered routine design iterations within the standard problem-solving approach of surgical device development.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Access cannula with engagement fingers for tissue specimen removal
PTD Variation
Access cannula with adjustable diameter to accommodate varying tissue sizes
Obviousness Reasoning
A PHOSITA would recognize that modifying cannula diameter is a predictable design variation to improve surgical flexibility, using known telescoping or expandable tube technologies common in medical device engineering
Source Patent Element
Containment bag for tissue specimen capture
PTD Variation
Containment bag with reinforced seams and built-in tissue grasping mechanism
Obviousness Reasoning
Enhancing bag durability and adding tissue retention features represent standard design improvements using known material reinforcement and mechanical engagement techniques familiar to surgical device designers
Source Patent Element
Basic surgical access system for tissue removal
PTD Variation
Insufflation port with integrated pressure sensor for monitoring internal cavity pressure
Obviousness Reasoning
Adding real-time pressure monitoring is a predictable safety enhancement using standard sensor integration techniques, representing a logical extension of existing surgical access technologies
Source Patent Element
Single-configuration access cannula
PTD Variation
Modular access cannula with interchangeable components
Obviousness Reasoning
Developing modular surgical instruments with interchangeable components is a well-established design strategy for increasing device versatility and reducing manufacturing complexity
Source Patent Element
Manual tissue specimen removal process
PTD Variation
Robotic-assisted access cannula with enhanced dexterity and precision
Obviousness Reasoning
Incorporating robotic assistance represents a predictable technological progression in surgical device design, leveraging known robotic control and precision enhancement methodologies
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857216 and the disclosed technical variations, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the proposed surgical access and tissue removal system modifications to be obvious extensions of existing technologies. The incremental improvements in cannula design, containment bag functionality, and pressure monitoring represent routine engineering solutions that would be apparent to a skilled practitioner in the field of minimally invasive surgical device development.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,216
TitleSystems and methods for large tissue specimen removal
Assignee(s)Covidien LP