Adjustable Tension Cuff Assembly for Microvascular Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cuff assemblies for monitoring fluid flow in microsurgical procedures are cumbersome, difficult to reposition, and unsuitable for vessels of varying sizes, leading to potential thrombosis and ischemia complications, especially in pediatric patients where vessel growth can cause tension issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable tension cuff assembly with a tether and tab mechanism that allows for easy attachment, repositioning, and tension adjustment around a body vessel, using stop members to maintain selected tension and accommodate different vessel sizes through a flexible tether and aperture system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional cuff assembly is used with fixed tension, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate vessel growth or size variations, requiring removal and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff assembly transitions from a fixed tension design to a dynamic, adjustable tension system. The tether assembly with stop members allows the cuff to adapt its tension level according to vessel growth or size changes, enabling the same cuff to serve multiple patients or the same patient over time without removal and replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the tension parameter of the cuff assembly from fixed to variable. By incorporating a tether with stop members that can be positioned at different locations, the system allows continuous adjustment of tension parameters to match varying vessel dimensions or growth conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the cuff tension is increased to ensure proper contact, then the monitoring signal quality improves, but the risk of thrombosis and ischemia increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows precise control of the tension parameter to optimize the balance between signal quality and patient safety. By adjusting the tether position to set appropriate tension levels, the cuff maintains sufficient contact for good monitoring signals while avoiding excessive tension that could cause thrombosis or ischemia.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a large cuff is used to fit small vessels, then the cuff can be applied, but the large diameter makes it cumbersome and obstructs the transducer signal
Solution Approach 1:
The cuff assembly becomes dynamically adjustable through the tether mechanism, allowing the operator to tighten or loosen the cuff to the appropriate size for the specific vessel. This eliminates the need to use a universally large cuff that is cumbersome and obstructive, instead enabling precise fitting for each vessel size.
4Reliability
If the cuff is secured with a clip or suture, then the cuff remains firmly attached, but repositioning requires removal and reattachment of the clip or suture
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism transitions from a fixed securement (clip or suture) to a dynamic adjustment system. The tether assembly with stop members allows the cuff to be easily repositioned by simply moving the tether, while maintaining secure attachment through the stop member locking mechanism, eliminating the need to remove and reattach clips or sutures.
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 quick and precise adjustment of cuff tension and position, reducing the risk of thrombosis and ischemia, and accommodating vessel growth, thereby improving the success rate of microvascular surgery by simplifying the monitoring process.
Implementation Method 1
Such a probe includes an implanted piezoelectric transducer carried on a cuff or sleeve that is wrapped around the blood vessel of interest. The transducer is used to alternately generate ultrasonic waves and measure backscattering of those waves.
Implementation Method 2
The transducer is used to alternately generate ultrasonic waves and measure backscattering of those waves. Since blood is a very effective backscattering medium, the Doppler shift in the frequency of the backscattered ultrasonic waves yields a precise and accurate measurement of the blood velocity
Implementation Method 3
Since blood is a very effective backscattering medium, the Doppler shift in the frequency of the backscattered ultrasonic waves yields a precise and accurate measurement of the blood velocity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
A cuff assembly for placement around a body vessel comprises a cuff member sized to substantially surround the body vessel, and a tether assembly engaged with the cuff member. The tether assembly is sized to at least substantially encircle the cuff member, and includes a locking mechanism for releasably maintaining a selected tension when the tether assembly encircles the cuff member. The tether assembly may comprise a tether and a tab, wherein the tab is engaged with the cuff member and has an aperture therethrough. The distal end of the tether is engaged with the tab. The locking mechanism may comprise a plurality of stop members disposed along a surface of the tether. The stop members are sized relative to the aperture to enable passage of at least a portion of the tether therethrough to encircle the cuff member when the stop members are aligned at a first angle relative to the aperture, and to substantially fix a position of the tether at a tension around the cuff member when the stop members are aligned at a second angle relative to the aperture.