Crimping Coupling System for Beating Heart Tissue Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical procedures for connecting a conduit to biological tissue, such as blood vessels and the heart, are cumbersome and require manual suturing, which can be difficult due to limited access and the need to temporarily stop blood flow or use a heart-lung bypass machine, especially during procedures like ventricular assist device implantation.
Innovation Solution
A coupling system comprising a main body, an attachment ring with a clamping mechanism, and securement clips that can be deployed and cinched to connect a conduit to biological tissue without the need for manual suturing, allowing the heart to continue beating during the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual suturing is used to connect conduit to biological tissue, then the connection can be securely formed, but the procedure time is extended and blood loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual suturing (mechanical needle and thread system) with a crimping mechanism that uses radial compression force to secure the conduit to tissue. The crimping tool applies controlled radial force to deform the conduit material and create friction-based anchoring, eliminating the need for sutures and significantly reducing procedure time while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the connection mechanism from tensile loading (suturing) to compressive loading (crimping). By applying radial compression force during the crimping process, the conduit material deforms and creates friction engagement with the tissue, providing secure attachment without requiring needle penetration or knot tying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual suturing is performed on the heart, then the conduit can be connected to the beating heart, but the heart must be stopped and a heart-lung bypass machine is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex heart-lung bypass system with a simple crimping mechanism that can secure the conduit to the beating heart. The crimping tool applies rapid radial compression that freezes the conduit material in place before the heart's natural motion can dislodge it, enabling connection to a beating heart without requiring cardiac arrest or bypass machinery.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimping process occurs so rapidly that it effectively 'skips' through the time window during which heart motion would disrupt suture placement. The quick compression and material deformation happen faster than the heart's contraction cycle, securing the conduit in place without needing to stop the heart.
3Reliability
If manual suturing is used in difficult locations, then the conduit can be connected to the tissue, but the difficulty increases due to limited access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual suturing (which requires precise needle control and knot tying in difficult locations) with a crimping mechanism that applies radial compression through a simplified tool interface. The crimping tool can be positioned and activated with minimal dexterity requirements, making the procedure much easier to perform in locations with limited surgical access while still achieving secure connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling system includes an applicator tool and an attachment ring mounted on the applicator tool. Clips are contained within the applicator tool and are deployed through the attachment ring in order to anchor the attachment ring to biological tissue. When deployed, tips of the clips follow a curved trajectory through an annular cuff of the attachment ring and through the underlying tissue. The tips loop back out of the tissue and to a location where they are later trapped or clamped by the attachment ring. While the tips are trapped or clamped, the applicator tool cinches the clips by pulling rear segments of the clips. Thereafter, the applicator tool disconnects from the attachment ring which remains anchored to the tissue and serves as a coupling for a cannula. The cannula can have movable lock members that secure it to the attachment ring.