Official Achievement Announcement

We proudly launch a modular laparoscopic trocar system, marking a leap from standalone instruments to a complete surgical platform. Featuring 5 diameter sizes (3 mm–15 mm), 3 working lengths (100 mm–150 mm) and 7 functional modules, the system supports 42 configurable combinations to meet full‑spectrum clinical needs from paediatric to bariatric patients. Certified under the EU MDR regulation, it is launched simultaneously in China, Europe and the United States, serving as a major milestone in the standardisation of laparoscopic surgical instruments.

R&D Background & Pain Points

Current laparoscopic surgery suffers from insufficient standardisation. Trocars from different brands show poor compatibility, requiring adapters for intraoperative instrument exchange and adding procedural steps. Single‑size trocars lack suitable options for bariatric patients (BMI > 35). In multi‑port procedures, independent trocar operation lacks coordination. Data shows that instrument mismatch causes an average of 8.7 minutes of extra operative time per laparoscopic case, accounting for 12% of total surgery duration. Particularly in laparoendoscopic single‑site surgery (LESS) and natural‑orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), existing trocar systems fail to meet co‑axial multi‑instrument manipulation requirements.

Core Technological Innovations

• Magnetically‑Coupled Coaxial Sealing SystemMagnetic coupling is revolutionarily adopted to replace mechanical sealing. An annular permanent‑magnet array is embedded in the trocar main body to form non‑contact sealing with instruments. The system enables 360° free instrument rotation without gas leakage, reduces frictional torque by 92%, and extends service life to 1 000 sterilisation cycles.
• Adaptive Diameter Adjustment TechnologyAn intelligent shape‑memory‑alloy trocar is developed, activated by body temperature to realise shape‑memory effects. Its outer diameter adaptively adjusts within the 4–12 mm range with an adjustment precision of 0.5 mm, achieving the breakthrough of one trocar compatible with multiple instruments.
• Multi‑Channel Integrated PlatformFor single‑port laparoscopic surgery, a petal‑shaped multi‑channel trocar is designed, integrating 3–4 independent sealed working channels. Adopting a bionic design, inter‑channel angles are adjustable (15°–45°) to avoid instrument interference and introduce the triangulation principle into single‑port procedures.

Working Mechanism

The core of the modular system lies in system‑level optimisation. At the instrument‑interaction level, standardised interfaces allow all 5‑mm instruments to pass through 10/12‑mm trocars without adapters. At the ergonomic level, trocar handle geometry is optimised based on human hand biomechanical data for rational grip‑pressure distribution, reducing surgeons' hand fatigue. At the procedural level, pre‑assembled modular design shortens average preoperative preparation time from 15 minutes to 4 minutes. Through the "soft‑contact" characteristic of magnetic fields, the magnetic sealing system completely eliminates mechanical wear while maintaining airtightness.

Performance Validation

Comparative studies conducted in tertiary hospitals demonstrate comprehensive advantages of our modular system. In cholecystectomies, average operative time is shortened by 18 minutes (a 22% reduction). In radical rectal cancer resections, instrument exchange frequency is reduced by 76%. In surgeries for bariatric patients (BMI > 40), trocar stability scores reach 9.2/10 (vs. 6.8 for conventional systems). Economic analysis reveals that despite a 25% higher price per system, single‑case instrument costs are reduced by 31% through fewer adapters and extended service life. Surgeon satisfaction surveys show that 92% of surgeons report improved surgical workflow with the system.

R&D Strategy & Philosophy

We advocate the innovation philosophy of solving clinical pain points with systematic thinking, establishing the SOPHIA R&D framework:

• Standardisation: unify standards for instrument interaction
• Openness: build a third‑party instrument integration platform
• Personalisation: deliver custom trocar solutions based on patient CT data
• Human‑centricity: design philosophy centred on surgeons' operational experience
• Intelligence: embedded sensors and data‑acquisition functions
• Accessibility: lower barriers for primary‑level hospitals via modularisation

Future Outlook

The future of laparoscopic trocars lies in Access‑as‑a‑Service. We will develop an intelligent surgical access management system that automatically identifies connected instruments and adjusts sealing parameters via radio‑frequency identification (RFID) technology. A cloud‑based platform will be built to analyse global surgical data in real time and optimise instrument configurations. Absorbable stent‑type trocars are being researched to transform into anti‑adhesion barriers after completing instrument‑channel functions. By 2028, we will launch the first intelligent trocar system fully integrated with surgical robots, enabling automatic instrument identification, path planning and force‑feedback regulation, ushering laparoscopic surgery into a fully intelligent era.