# US 10,307,181 B2 · System and method for guided port insertion to minimize trauma > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,181 B2 - Document ID: US10307181B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/908,145 - Filed: 2015-03-12 - Published: 2017-02-16 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-03-12 - Applicants: Cameron Anthony Piron; Michael Frank Gunter Wood; Murugathas Yuwaraj; Joshua Lee Richmond - Inventors: Cameron Anthony Piron; Michael Frank Gunter Wood; Murugathas Yuwaraj; Joshua Lee Richmond - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307181B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/3403: {Needle locating or guiding means} - A61B 17/34: Trocars; Puncturing needles - A61B 17/3421: {Cannulas} - A61B 17/3476: {Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives} - A61B 90/11: with guides for needles or instruments, e.g. arcuate slides or ball joints - A61M 25/0113: {Mechanical advancing means, e.g. catheter dispensers} - A61B 2017/00991: {Telescopic means} - A61B 2017/320048: {Balloon dissectors} - A61B 2017/3409: {including needle or instrument drives} - A61B 2017/3443: {with means for adjusting the length of a cannula} - A61B 2017/3456: {blunt} - A61B 2034/301: {for introducing or steering flexible instruments inserted into the body, e.g. catheters or endoscopes} - A61B 2090/3735: {Optical coherence tomography [OCT]} - A61B 2090/3784: {both receiver and transmitter being in the instrument or receiver being also transmitter} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract The present invention provides a system and method for inserting a surgical port to minimize trauma. The system includes an access port and a guiding mechanism on the distal end of the access port, wherein the guiding mechanism has an adaptive atraumatic tip. The system also includes an introducer probe with a handle on the proximal end of the introducer probe, an atraumatic tip on the distal end of the introducer probe and a flexible body for insertion through the access port, the flexible body comprising one or more bendable elbows along the length of the introducer probe, wherein the introducer slidably engages the interior of the surgical access port to define an access path. The method includes inserting an access port down a sulcal path, inserting an introducer probe through the access port, and navigating the sulcal path with the introducer to the target. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical access port for navigating down a sulcal path of a neurosurgical procedure comprising: a. a cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end; and b. a guiding mechanism with an adaptive atraumatic tip for navigating down the sulcal path on a distal end of the access port; wherein the adaptive atraumatic tip comprises a plurality of collapsible rigid concentric rings, each concentric ring having a proximal edge closest to the access port and a distal edge furthest from the access port and wherein a distal ring has a smaller outer diameter than a proximal ring such that the plurality of concentric rings provides a conical shape in an extended configuration; wherein one or more of the plurality of concentric rings has a sharp distal edge to penetrate tissue. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein the access port is attached to a high frequency vibration source. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical access port as in claim 2, wherein the high frequency vibration source is a collar located around the body of the access port. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The surgical access port as in claim 2, wherein the vibration source comprises a driver, circuit, amplifier, oscillator and power supply. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The surgical access port as in claim 2, wherein a frequency and amplitude of the vibration source are activatable by a user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein the access port outer surface is coated with a low-friction coating. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein one or more inflatable balloons are attached to the outer surface of the access port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein the access port has attached one or more sensors for guiding the surgical access port using a navigation system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical access port as in claim 8, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a list comprising of an ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, fiber optics, light guides, Raman, PET, MRI, vibration, optical, strain or stress sensors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein the concentric rings are joined by a flexible membrane. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The surgical access port as in claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane includes a living hinge. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The surgical access port as in claim 10, wherein the flexible membrane is constructed of medical grade silicone. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein the atraumatic tip has attached strain gauges to measure shear strength. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The surgical access port as in claim 1, wherein the atraumatic tip has attached strain and stress sensors. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surgical access port as in claim 14, wherein the strain and stress sensors are used to guide the atraumatic tip using a navigation system. ### Claim 16 A surgical access port for navigating down a sulcal path of a neurosurgical procedure comprising: a cylindrical body; and a guiding mechanism with an adaptive atraumatic tip for navigating down the sulcal path attached to the cylindrical body; wherein the adaptive atraumatic tip comprises a plurality of collapsible rigid concentric rings and a distal ring has a smaller outer diameter than a proximal ring such that the plurality of concentric rings provides a conical shape in an extended configuration; wherein one or more of the plurality of concentric rings has a sharp distal edge to penetrate tissue. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surgical access port as in claim 16, wherein the access port has attached one or more sensors for guiding the surgical access port using a navigation system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The surgical access port as in claim 17, wherein the one or more sensors are selected from a list comprising of an ultrasound, optical coherence tomography, fiber optics, light guides, Raman, PET, MRI, vibration, optical, strain or stress sensors. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The surgical access port as in claim 16, wherein the concentric rings are joined by a flexible membrane. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The surgical access port as in claim 16, wherein the atraumatic tip has attached strain gauges to measure shear strength. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The surgical access port as in claim 16, wherein the atraumatic tip has attached strain and stress sensors.