Anastomosis Protection Sheath Deployment Without Crossing Fresh Tissue

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anastomosis protection devices require introduction through a fresh anastomosis, which surgeons find risky, and involve multiple steps and prolonged operating times.

Innovation Solution

A surgical device allowing the anastomosis protection device to be placed upstream of the anastomosis before the procedure, using an introducer to deploy the stent and sheath after anastomosis, reducing the need for instruments to pass through the anastomosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the anastomosis protection device is introduced through the fresh anastomosis, then the device can be positioned to protect the anastomosis, but the surgical risk increases and operating time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanastomosis protectionVSAvoidsurgical risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device is introduced through the anal orifice and positioned upstream of the anastomosis site before the anastomosis is performed. The stent is deployed in the upstream intestine first, then the anastomosis is created, allowing the device to protect the anastomosis without requiring passage through the fresh anastomotic site, thereby reducing surgical risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of introducing the device through the anastomosis from downstream to upstream, the device is introduced from upstream through the anal orifice and positioned upstream of the anastomosis site. This reverses the traditional approach and eliminates the need to pass instruments through the fresh anastomosis, reducing surgical risk while maintaining protection efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the anastomosis protection device is introduced through the fresh anastomosis, then the device can be positioned to protect the anastomosis, but the number of surgical steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanastomosis protectionVSAvoidsurgical steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The introduction of the anastomosis protection device is combined with the routine surgical steps. The device is introduced through the anal orifice during the same surgical procedure, and its positioning upstream of the anastomosis is integrated into the surgical workflow, eliminating the need for separate additional steps while maintaining protection efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the anastomosis protection device is introduced through the fresh anastomosis, then the device can be positioned to protect the anastomosis, but the operating time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanastomosis protectionVSAvoidoperating time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is introduced and positioned upstream of the anastomosis site before the anastomosis is performed. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for time-consuming maneuvers to pass the device through the fresh anastomosis after it is created, thereby reducing operating time while maintaining protection efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduction pathway skips the fresh anastomosis site entirely by being introduced through the anal orifice and positioned upstream. This avoids the time-consuming and risky process of passing instruments through the delicate fresh anastomosis, reducing operating time without compromising protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

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

Facilitates anastomosis by reducing the number of surgical steps and operating time, while providing effective protection against anastomotic fistulas.

Implementation Method 1

The stent is the temporary anchor element to the walls of the intestine, which holds the sheath in place

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the device's anchorage or release is reinforced by means of a tube opening into the space of a chamber delimited between an inner sheath and the stent wall, which makes it possible to create a suction effect by drawing the walls of the intestine against the stent to reinforce the anchorage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 3

said first hollow longitudinal element being made of a material giving it radial elasticity properties so that it can be radially compressed in a retracted position and adopt a said position of maximum radial expansion after release of the radial compression

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12478377B2Systems and methods for introducing a device for protecting an anastomosis

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SAFEHEAL SAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a complex surgical device for carrying out an anastomosis in the intestine including:a— a protective device (5) comprising an anchor element consisting of a stent (1) and a flexible outer sheath (2), andb— an introducer (10) comprising at least a first deformable guide tube (12),characterized in that the downstream end of said outer sheath is connected to said first guide tube (12) or to a first connecting piece (11), said outer sheath (2) being folded inside said first deformable guide tube (12), said stent being held in radial compression inside said first deformable guide tube.