Coring Tool Actuation Mechanism for Heart Wall Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current coring tools used in preparing the heart for ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation are difficult to actuate and maintain pressure against the heart wall, requiring complex motions and potentially leading to inefficiencies and increased blood loss during the surgical procedure.
Innovation Solution
A coring tool with a proximal handle, distal coring head, and actuation mechanism that includes a selector element and two actuators, allowing for simplified motion between a closed and open position, enabling single-handed operation and maintaining pressure on the heart wall, thereby facilitating easier tissue coring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the coring tool is movably mounted in a housing to allow aiming, then the surgeon can aim the coring tool by aiming the housing, but the surgeon must advance and retract the coring tool relative to the housing while maintaining the housing in position, increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The coring head is integrated with the housing such that the housing itself performs the coring function. This merging eliminates the need for a separate movable coring tool within the housing, while still providing aiming capability through the housing orientation. The single coring motion is achieved by advancing the housing directly into the tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides the aiming direction, maintains position against the heart wall, and performs the coring action itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining operational capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If the surgeon must advance and retract the coring tool in two separate opposite motions, then the coring function can be performed, but the operation becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coring head is pre-positioned and secured to the housing in a fixed relationship before the coring operation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustments during the coring motion, allowing the surgeon to perform a single advancing motion without subsequent retraction or repositioning steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components (housing, coring head, shaft) that are independently designed and then assembled in a fixed configuration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining simple relative positioning, enabling a single-corre motion without complex coordinated movements.
3Reliability
If the coring tool requires maintaining pressure against the heart wall during actuation, then secure positioning is achieved, but the complex motions required make it difficult to maintain pressure throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function and coring function are merged into a single integrated action. The housing, which maintains pressure against the heart wall for stable positioning, is the same component that performs the coring when advanced. This eliminates the need for separate positioning and coring motions, allowing continuous pressure maintenance throughout the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention related to a coring tool for preparing a core or opening through tissue and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention include a coring tool including: (a) a frame having proximal and distal directions; (b) an operator interface element mounted to the frame and movable between a rest position and an actuated position; (c) a coring head having at least one cutting blade, the coring head being mounted to the frame for movement in the proximal and distal directions; and (d) a actuation mechanism connected between the coring head and the operator interface element, the actuation mechanism including a selector element having first and second positions, the actuation mechanism being arranged to move the coring head distally responsive to movement of the interface element from the rest position toward the actuated position when the selector element is in the first position, and to move the coring head proximally responsive to movement of the interface element from the rest position toward the actuated position when the selector element is in the second position.