Adjustable Locking Device for Anastomotic Ring Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anastomotic ring devices for surgical procedures, such as gastric bypass, lack the ability to adjust ring compression and automatically lock at a fixed configuration, requiring multiple devices for different tissue thicknesses and compression rates, and can disturb tissue positioning during deployment.

Innovation Solution

An anastomosis device with a ring device and a separate locking device that allows adjustable locking surfaces via threaded means, enabling different actuated configurations and preventing automatic latching, allowing for adjustable tissue compression and use across various tissue thicknesses and compression rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed configuration locking mechanism is used in anastomotic ring devices, then the device structure is simple, but the device cannot adapt to different tissue thicknesses and compression rates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different tissue thicknessesVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device incorporates adjustable locking surfaces that can be positioned at different distances from the distal end, allowing the device to adapt to varying tissue thicknesses and compression requirements. This dynamic adjustability enables a single device to serve multiple tissue types and surgical scenarios without requiring multiple fixed-configuration devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fixed parameter of locking surface distance into a variable parameter. By providing multiple locking surfaces at different predetermined distances, the device allows surgeons to select and adjust the optimal compression distance based on specific tissue characteristics, thereby achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic locking occurs at a fixed configuration, then the locking mechanism is simple, but it disturbs tissue positioning during deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of deploymentVSAvoiddisturbance to tissue positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking surfaces are predetermined and pre-positioned at specific distances from the distal end of the locking device. This preliminary configuration allows the tissue to be properly positioned and compressed before the locking action occurs, preventing disturbance to tissue positioning during deployment while maintaining simple automatic locking operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable locking surfaces act as an intermediary between the deployment mechanism and the tissue. By providing multiple predetermined positions, they mediate the locking action to occur at the optimal point that preserves tissue positioning, eliminating the harmful effect of fixed-configuration automatic locking while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple ring devices are used for different tissue thicknesses, then each device is optimized for specific conditions, but the quantity of devices and inventory complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptimization for specific tissue conditionsVSAvoidnumber of devices required
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The locking device is designed with multiple adjustable locking surfaces that can accommodate different tissue thicknesses and compression rates, making a single device universally applicable to various surgical scenarios. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for maintaining multiple specialized devices in inventory while preserving the reliability of optimized performance for each specific tissue condition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a static, single-configuration design to a dynamic, multi-configuration design where the locking surface distance can be adjusted based on tissue requirements. This dynamic capability allows one device to replace multiple fixed-configuration devices, reducing inventory complexity while maintaining optimized performance for different tissue conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If ring compression is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different compression rates required for various tissues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of compression rateVSAvoidcompression mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the fixed compression rate parameter into an adjustable parameter by providing multiple locking surfaces at different distances. This allows the compression rate to be modified based on tissue requirements without requiring a completely complex adjustable compression mechanism, achieving adaptability with moderate complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The compression mechanism transitions from a static fixed-compression design to a dynamic adjustable-compression design. The multiple locking surfaces enable the compression rate to be adapted to different tissue types, and the threaded engagement mechanism provides controlled adjustability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables precise adjustment of ring distance and tissue pressure during deployment, reducing the need for multiple devices and minimizing disturbance to tissue positioning, facilitating more versatile and accurate surgical anastomosis procedures.

Implementation Method 1

adjusting means for providing the first and second locking surfaces at different interjacent distances, said adjusting means comprising threaded means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

ring device having at least a proximal ring and a distal ring intended to be positioned on either side of a proximal and distal tissue portion and suitable to clamp the proximal and distal tissue portions between them when the ring device is actuated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

a locking device adapted to lock the ring device when actuated, wherein the locking device is separate from the ring device and insertable in the passage opening thereof and comprises: a first locking surface adapted to engage the distal ring and a second locking surface adapted to engage the proximal ring to latch the ring device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction engagement: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1908419B1A locking device for an anastomotic device
Publication Date: 2009.09.02 ETHICON ENDO SURGERY INC
  • EP1908419B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1908419B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP1908419B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A locking device (42) for an anastomotic ring device (9) of the type comprising proximal (10), center (11), and distal (12) rings connected respectively by proximal and distal hinged arms (13, 14), the hinged arms (13, 14) having a generally oblong radially retracted shape when the ring device (9) is unactuated and a folded radially protruding shape when the ring device (9) is actuated, the proximal, center and distal rings defining a central passage opening across the ring device (9). The locking device (42) is separate from the ring device (9) and insertable in the passage opening thereof and comprises a first locking surface (48, 48') adapted to engage the distal ring (12) and a second locking surface (46) adapted to engage the proximal ring (10) to lock the ring device (9) and adjusting means (50, 51; 48, 48') for providing the first and second locking surfaces (46; 48, 48') at different interjacent distances such as to lock the ring device (9) in different actuated configurations.