Cardiac De-Air Inflatable Device for Air Bubble Dislodgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preventing or mitigating air embolisms during cardiac surgery are inadequate, as they are either unsafe, time-consuming, or ineffective in managing air entrapment within the heart, especially in minimally invasive procedures, where manual access is limited and air dislodgement is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A catheter-based inflatable device that transmits motion to the heart through active inflation and deflation, controlled by a remote controller, to dislodge entrapped air bubbles, which can then be evacuated through a cardiac incision or vent, allowing for efficient de-airing of the heart.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual manipulation methods (massage, compression, forceps) are used to remove air, then air can be mobilized and dissipated, but these methods are unsafe and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation (massage, compression, forceps) with an automated mechanical system consisting of a robotic arm and specialized instrument that can safely and efficiently remove air from cardiac chambers without requiring time-consuming manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the robotic instrument to autonomously perform air removal operations without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby reducing time loss while maintaining safety through programmed controlled movements
2Ease of operation
If CO2 insufflation is used to manage air entrapment, then air management is facilitated, but there is little to no evidence of sustained reduction of embolism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent directly extracts and removes air from cardiac chambers using a specialized instrument with a removal port, providing reliable embolism prevention by actually removing the harmful substance rather than merely managing it through insufflation techniques that lack proven efficacy
3Ease of operation
If surgical position changes are used to decrease air entrapment, then air management is attempted, but current position changes do not decrease cerebral microembolic load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of changing surgical position with a direct mechanical intervention using a robotic instrument to physically remove air from cardiac chambers, providing reliable reduction of cerebral microembolic load without depending on position changes that have proven ineffective
4Productivity
If air suction techniques through vents are used, then air can be evacuated, but these techniques are primitive and extremely time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces primitive air suction techniques with an advanced robotic instrument system that can actively and efficiently remove air from cardiac chambers through coordinated mechanical movements and controlled suction, dramatically improving productivity while reducing time loss compared to conventional suction methods
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic, actively controlled movements of the robotic instrument within the cardiac chamber to optimize air removal efficiency at each position, rather than relying on static or passive suction techniques, thereby improving productivity without excessive time consumption
5Manufacturing precision
If manual access to the heart is attempted in minimally invasive surgery, then surgical precision is improved, but incision size limitations prevent adequate manual access for air dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for manual access through large incisions with a robotic system that can perform precise air removal operations through small minimally invasive incisions, simultaneously achieving surgical precision while maintaining ease of operation through automated instrument manipulation that overcomes the limitations of restricted manual access
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 solution enables timely and effective de-airing of the heart, reducing the risk of complications such as cardiac arrest and stroke, and is applicable in both traditional and minimally invasive cardiac surgery settings, thereby improving surgical outcomes and reducing the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable device is placed in contact with the heart and is controlled by an external remote controller. Systems utilize active inflation and deflation of the inflatable device. The inflatable device transmits motion to the heart thereby dislodging entrapped intracardiac air
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for de-airing a cardiac chamber during cardiac surgery are provided. A catheter-based inflatable device is inserted adjacent a target area of the heart, and the frequency of inflation and deflation of the inflatable device is controlled via a remote controller to change the shape of the cardiac chamber to dislodge air bubbles from their deposition site in the cardiac chamber.