C-Shaped Surgical Vessel Constriction for Simple Haemostasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices for controlling fluid flow in vessels are often over-engineered, expensive, and inefficient, with valves losing efficacy over time, and surgical sutures or loops are cumbersome and time-consuming to use.
Innovation Solution
A handheld device with an elongate flexible member and a compressible operating member, such as a C-shaped or U-shaped structure, allows easy manipulation to control fluid flow through a vessel by forming an eye around it, using materials with specific tensile properties to maintain haemostasis without permanent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If commercially available valves are used for providing haemostasis in endovascular delivery systems, then haemostasis can be provided, but the device becomes unduly expensive and over-engineered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of haemostasis from complex commercial valves, using only the necessary components (elongate flexible member forming a loop and a simple operating member) to achieve the same haemostatic effect without the unnecessary complexity and cost of commercial valve systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a simple, disposable loop structure that can be discarded after use, eliminating the need for expensive, complex, reusable valve systems while maintaining haemostasis functionality during the surgical procedure
2Reliability
If surgical sutures or loops are used for constricting vessels during surgery, then vessel constriction can be achieved, but the operation becomes awkward and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The operating member is designed with flexible arms that can dynamically adjust and conform to the vessel geometry, allowing the loop to be easily positioned and tightened around vessels of varying sizes and shapes without awkward manual manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate flexible member is made from materials with specific tensile properties that allow it to be easily tensioned and adjusted to different configurations, enabling quick and intuitive operation to achieve reliable vessel constriction
3Reliability
If the operating member is made from flexible material with resilience to provide tension, then haemostasis can be maintained, but the material must resist permanent deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects materials with specific tensile modulus and recoverable tensile strain parameters that balance flexibility for easy manipulation with sufficient resilience to maintain tension and prevent permanent deformation, ensuring reliable haemostasis while allowing intuitive operation
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
The device provides a simple, efficient, and reliable means to control fluid flow through vessels, offering quick and intuitive operation with minimal user effort, maintaining haemostasis and allowing easy passage of objects like catheters, while being applicable to both natural and synthetic vessels.
Implementation Method 1
The common point of the operating member may be a flexure to provide for relative movement of the first and second arms of the operating member or a spring biased hinge portion. The material selected for the operating member, particularly the flexure provides for recoverable strain without permanent deformation.
Implementation Method 2
The operating member may be formed from a flexible material with sufficient resilience to provide tension in the at least one elongate flexible member when required, whilst allowing a user to manipulate the operating member to reduce the tension in the at least one elongate flexible member when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical device controls fluid flow through a vessel by releasable constriction of the vessel using a compressible “C”-shape operating member with first and second elongate flexible members respectively configured to form a first loop and a second loop, the first and second loops intersecting to define an eye surrounding the vessel, wherein the operating member has first and second arms separated by a gap, the first arm being attachable to the first elongate flexible member, the second arm being attachable to the second elongate flexible member, so as to apply tension to the first and second elongate flexible members, the eye being located in the gap, whereby compression of the operating member relaxes tension in the elongate flexible members permitting opening of the eye and fluid flow within the vessel.