Apical Ring With Relief Slots For VAD Conduit Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cardiac assist systems face challenges in achieving consistent and effortless clamping of inflow conduits to the heart due to variations in conduit diameter, requiring adjustable clamps and increased surgical effort, which complicates the assembly and implantation process.
Innovation Solution
An apical ring with a cantilever section and relief slots that automatically adjusts to accommodate varying conduit diameters, utilizing a C-clamp mechanism with a tightener to securely clamp the conduit with minimal effort and a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional adjustable clamps are used to accommodate conduit diameter variations, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and surgical effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with a compliant structure that passively adapts to different conduit diameters through elastic deformation. The relief slots enable the collar material to stretch and conform to the specific diameter of the sintered conduit without requiring adjustable mechanisms, thereby accommodating diameter variations while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's compliant structure automatically adjusts to the conduit diameter through its own elastic properties. The relief slots allow the collar to self-adjust and conform to the conduit shape without external intervention or complex adjustment mechanisms, enabling the structure to serve itself in adapting to diameter variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional adjustable clamps are used to accommodate conduit diameter variations, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collar transitions from a rigid structure to a compliant one with relief slots, enabling it to passively adapt to different conduit diameters through elastic deformation. This eliminates the need for surgical adjustment, allowing the collar to automatically conform to the conduit shape and diameter during implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's elastic structure with relief slots enables it to self-adjust to the conduit diameter without requiring surgical manipulation or adjustment mechanisms. The structure automatically conforms to the conduit during the clamping process, significantly reducing surgical effort and complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid collar is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with relief slots that transform it from a rigid structure to a compliant one. These slots allow the collar material to elastically deform and stretch, enabling it to accommodate different conduit diameters while maintaining consistent manufacturing dimensions for the collar itself. The compliance is achieved through controlled material deformation rather than dimensional variation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apical ring for coupling a conduit of a ventricular assist device to a heart has an annular disk with a central aperture for receiving the conduit. A collar is axially aligned with the central aperture and has a cylindrical shape interrupted by a gap between first and second ends of the collar. The collar has a fixed section joined to the annular disk and has a cantilever section extending from the fixed section to the first end of the collar. A tightener selectively drives the first end toward the second end to close the gap in order to retain the conduit within the collar. The cantilever section includes a relief slot that is expandable for extending a circumferential length of the cantilever section in response to interacting with the conduit when the gap is closed.