Aortic Cannula Pivot Arm Strap Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aortic cannula designs for ex vivo organ care systems suffer from organ slippage, difficulty in maintaining a liquid-tight seal, and damage to the aorta due to inadequate tension and risk of laceration or leakage.
Innovation Solution
The aortic cannula features a cannula body with a fitting for organ care systems, an aorta interface, and a pivot arm strap connected to a pivot mount, allowing uniform contact and secure attachment to the aorta, along with a spring for pressure application and a cable tie system for tension adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable ties are used to tighten the aorta to the aortic cannula, then the aorta can be secured to the cannula, but the cable ties may exert excessive tension causing laceration or insufficient tension causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the tensioning mechanism from direct cable tie tension on the aorta to a controlled pivot arm system with adjustable tensioning members. The pivot arm rotates about a pivot point, allowing the tensioning member to apply force at an optimized angle and distance, transforming the tension application parameters to achieve secure sealing without excessive tissue stress
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot arm acts as an intermediary between the cable tie and the aorta. Instead of the cable tie directly tensioning the aorta, the tension is transmitted through the pivot arm which provides mechanical advantage and distributes the force more evenly, reducing peak stresses on the aortic tissue while maintaining seal integrity
2Productivity
If the aortic cannula is tightly secured to prevent slippage, then perfusate flow can be maintained, but damage to the aorta increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic elements including the rotatable pivot arm and adjustable tensioning members that allow the system to adapt to variations in aorta size and position. The pivot arm can rotate to maintain optimal alignment, and the tensioning members can be adjusted to provide appropriate tension, enabling continuous perfusate flow while minimizing aortic damage through dynamic adaptation rather than static tight securing
3Ease of operation
If the aortic cannula design is simplified for ease of deployment, then deployment speed increases, but the ability to create a tight seal and reduce slippage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment system into distinct functional components: the pivot arm for positioning, the tensioning member for securing, and the aortic interface for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity in deployment. The modular design enables straightforward assembly and deployment while achieving reliable attachment through the coordinated action of segmented functional elements
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
This design enhances secure attachment, reduces aortic slipping, and minimizes damage to the aorta, while maintaining a tight seal and allowing for effective perfusate flow, thereby improving the ex vivo organ care system's efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring which applies pressure to the pivot arm strap to hold the aorta on the aorta interface
Data Source
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AI summary
An aortic cannula for use in an ex-vivo organ care system, the aortic cannula comprising a cannula body comprising, a fitting configured to connect to an ex-vivo organ care system, and an aorta interface configured to contact an inner surface of an aorta of an ex-vivo heart; and a pivot arm comprising a pivot arm strap, wherein the pivot arm strap is operably connected to a pivot mount, wherein the pivot arm is configured to allow the pivot arm strap to move into contact with an outer surface of the aorta to hold the aorta on the aorta interface after the inner surface of the aorta is in contact with the aorta interface.