Unitary Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic vessel harvesting systems are cumbersome and require multiple tools, increasing the potential for injury to the bypass conduit and prolonging the procedure due to the need for multiple device insertions and manipulations.
Innovation Solution
A unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting device with an elongated body and a cutting unit that includes a dissection tip and moveable cutting portions, allowing for simultaneous dissection, sealing, and cutting of blood vessels with a single passage, reducing vessel manipulation and potential trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple tools are used for endoscopic vessel harvesting, then the procedure can be completed with established techniques, but the potential for injury to the bypass conduit increases and the procedure duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate harvesting tools into a single integrated endoscopic vessel harvesting device. This unitary device integrates dissection, sealing, and cutting functions that previously required separate instruments, thereby reducing the number of tool insertions and manipulations needed during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscopic vessel harvesting device is designed with multi-functional capabilities, allowing it to perform dissection of the vessel from surrounding tissue, sealing of branch vessels, and cutting of the main conduit all through a single device. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized tools and reduces procedural complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple tools are used for endoscopic vessel harvesting, then the procedure can be completed with established techniques, but the procedure duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate harvesting tools into a single integrated endoscopic vessel harvesting device. This unitary device integrates dissection, sealing, and cutting functions that previously required separate instruments, thereby reducing the number of tool insertions and manipulations needed during the procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables continuous harvesting action by maintaining the vessel in a single stable position throughout the procedure. The cutting portions can rotate and move along the vessel length without requiring removal or repositioning of the device, allowing uninterrupted dissection, sealing, and cutting operations.
3Ease of operation
If the cutting portions are moveable and rotatable, then the device can capture and cut vessels effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting portions are designed to be moveable along the elongated body and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, providing dynamic adjustment capabilities. This allows the cutting portions to be positioned optimally for capturing vessels of different orientations and sizes, and to rotate into alignment with the vessel for effective cutting.
Data Source
AI summary
Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a tip disposed at the distal end of the elongated body; and a cutting unit having a first cutting portion and a second cutting portion, the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion being moveable in a longitudinal direction relative to the elongated body to capture a blood vessel between the first cutting portion and the second cutting portion, and being rotatable relative to one another circumferentially about the tip to cut the captured blood vessel.