Surgical Clamp Jaw Deflection Control for Safer Vessel Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical clamps lack reliable feedback on clamping force and often cause tissue damage due to excessive force or loose fitting, and their release mechanism can lead to sudden vessel ejection and hypertension.
Innovation Solution
A surgical clamp jaw design with an inner profile and deflection control profile featuring abutment surfaces and flexion assistance voids, allowing controlled clamping and release to prevent tissue damage and hypertension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a surgical clamp is designed to provide strong clamping force, then the holding strength is improved, but the tissue may be physically damaged from excessive clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp incorporates a visual feedback mechanism through color-coded indicators that change color or position based on the clamping force applied. This allows the surgeon to see in real-time whether the clamp is applying appropriate force, preventing both excessive force that causes tissue damage and insufficient force that leads to slippage. The feedback system transforms the invisible mechanical force into visible information.
2Reliability
If a surgical clamp is designed to occlude body conduits securely, then the reliability of occlusion is improved, but there is little feedback regarding how tightly the clamp is attached
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp features color-changing indicators that provide immediate visual feedback about the clamping state. Different colors indicate different levels of clamping force or engagement status, allowing the surgeon to quickly assess whether the clamp is properly secured without needing to apply excessive force or perform additional checks. This color-coding system transforms mechanical state information into easily interpretable visual signals.
3Ease of operation
If a surgical clamp jaw creates a V-shape when opened, then the release mechanism is simple, but the clamped vessel may suddenly push itself out towards the open end
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp jaw incorporates a curved or rounded profile instead of a sharp V-shape. This curvature allows the vessel to gradually exit the clamp as the jaws open, following the curved path rather than being suddenly ejected toward the open end. The rounded geometry distributes the release force more evenly and prevents the vessel from being abruptly pushed outward, reducing the risk of sudden hypertension or vessel damage.
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 design provides reliable clamping feedback and controlled release, reducing tissue damage and hypertension risks by ensuring proper clamping force and gradual vessel reperfusion.
Implementation Method 1
The surgical clamp jaw defines one or more flexion assistance voids, wherein at least one of the one or more flexion assistance voids is in contact with a gap between one of the one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical clamp jaw is disclosed, having an inner profile and a deflection control profile opposite the inner profile. In one embodiment, the inner profile has a first substantially concave profile in an unclamped position and a second substantially flat profile in a clamped position. In one embodiment, the deflection control profile has one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces, at least one set of which is not contacting each other when the inner profile is in the unclamped position and which is contacting each other when the inner profile is in the clamped position. In one embodiment, the surgical clamp jaw defines one or more flexion assistance voids, wherein at least one of the one or more flexion assistance voids is in contact with a gap between one of the one or more sets of corresponding abutment surfaces.