Side-to-End Anastomotic Coupler for Leak-Resistant Vessel Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anastomotic techniques, such as sutures and staples, are time-consuming, require specialized skills, and can lead to complications like leakage, stenosis, obstruction, and thrombosis, especially in vascular and gastrointestinal anastomoses, and existing couplers face issues with size mismatch and micro-motion leading to blood leakage and vessel trauma.
Innovation Solution
An anastomotic coupler system using a ring and fixation device with fasteners to securely connect tubular structures, allowing for rapid, reliable, and leak-proof anastomosis, adaptable to various diameters and materials, and capable of creating sealed connections between tubular structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sutures and staples are used for anastomosis, then the connection can be made between tubular structures, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires specialized skills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate coupler device that mediates the connection between two tubular structures. The coupler includes a first coupler portion that couples to a first tubular structure and a second coupler portion that couples to a second tubular structure, providing a standardized intermediate component that simplifies the anastomosis procedure while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler device is segmented into multiple independent portions (first coupler portion, second coupler portion, and intermediate portion) that can be separately applied to different tubular structures before final connection. This segmentation allows for modular assembly and reduces the complexity of the overall procedure
2Reliability
If conventional sutures and staples are used for anastomosis, then the connection can be established, but complications like leakage, stenosis, obstruction, and thrombosis occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical suture and staple systems with a coupler-based mechanical connection system. The coupler portions are designed to create secure, standardized connections that eliminate the harmful effects of conventional sutures and staples while maintaining connection integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler device changes the geometric and mechanical parameters of the connection interface. The standardized coupling mechanisms and precise geometric features of the coupler portions create optimal connection conditions that prevent leakage, stenosis, obstruction, and thrombosis
3Reliability
If existing couplers are used, then connection can be achieved, but size mismatch and micro-motion lead to blood leakage and vessel trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates dynamic adaptation capabilities in the coupler portions, allowing them to adjust to varying sizes and shapes of tubular structures. The flexible coupling mechanisms accommodate size mismatches while maintaining stable connections that prevent micro-motion and associated complications
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler portions are designed with locally optimized features that match the specific characteristics of different tubular structures. The geometric features and material properties are tailored to create optimal local connections that prevent blood leakage and vessel trauma
Data Source
AI summary
An anastomotic coupler is provided. A ring is aligned with a cartridge in that at least a portion of the cartridge is disposed within a lumen of the first tubular structure and the ring is positioned external of the first tubular structure. The cartridge is operable to engage with the ring to secure the ring and the cartridge with the first tubular structure and allow a lumen of a second tubular structure to be in fluid communication with the lumen of the first tubular structure via a hole formed in a wall of the first tubular structure.