Shape-Formable Apparatus Using Fibrous Jamming for Tissue Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shape-formable devices face limitations in achieving a balance between flexibility and rigidity, particularly in thin, sheet-like applications, as they either require significant volume for bulk media or lack extensibility and conformability due to high Young's Modulus materials, restricting their ability to assume complex shapes and apply sufficient forces for tissue stabilization.
Innovation Solution
A shape-formable apparatus comprising a gas-impermeable envelope with fibrous material that jams under reduced pressure, and optionally includes locking sheets with patterned solid and open regions, allowing for increased conformability and rigidity by moving solid regions relative to each other, enabling the apparatus to change from a flexible, formable state to a rigid, locked state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If bulk media is used to achieve shape-formability, then the device can be formed into desired shapes, but the volume required becomes significant and the device cannot be made thin or sheet-like
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin envelope containing fibrous material instead of bulk media. The envelope itself acts as a flexible container that can be formed into desired shapes while maintaining a thin profile, eliminating the need for large volumes of bulk jamming media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fibrous material with porous structure inside the envelope. This porous fibrous material can deform and conform to shapes while requiring minimal volume compared to discrete bulk particles, enabling thin-sheet applications.
2Strength
If high Young's Modulus materials are used to achieve rigidity, then the desired shape can be held, but the material cannot be easily extended within the plane and conformability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rigid structure into multiple thin layers of fibrous material separated by spacers. This segmentation allows each layer to conform independently while collectively providing rigidity when jammed, resolving the contradiction between holding shape and conforming to complex surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spacing between fibrous layers in the thickness dimension, allowing the material to extend and conform within the plane while maintaining rigidity through the stacked layer structure. This dimensional approach enables both conformability and shape-holding capability.
3Length of moving object
If multiple thin layers are used to achieve low bending stiffness, then the article can be thin, but the layers cannot be extended within the plane and can only take on complex shapes by generating wrinkles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous fibrous material layers that can be extended within the plane. The porous structure allows fibers to slide and reposition relative to each other, enabling in-plane extension while maintaining the thin profile of multiple layered sheets.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the bending stiffness is increased under vacuum, then the multiple layers jam together and hold shape, but the conformability is lost as they behave like a single thick layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains segmentation of multiple thin layers even under vacuum conditions. The layers remain distinct and can still conform to complex shapes, while the jamming effect provides shape stability. This resolves the contradiction by preventing the layers from merging into a single thick layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the thickness dimension with spacers to maintain layer separation and conformability even when jammed. The spaced architecture allows the stacked layers to conform to complex surfaces while providing rigidity and shape stability through the vacuum-induced jamming effect.
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 apparatus achieves a significant increase in stiffness and conformability, allowing it to maintain complex shapes and apply forces effectively for tissue stabilization while maintaining a thin, sheet-like configuration, overcoming the volume and extensibility limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
fibrous material positioned in the chamber that can jam or lock together to resist relative movement when the pressure in the chamber is reduced below ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus has the desired shape and is substantially less formable than in the first state
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Method of using a shape-formable apparatus comprising fibrous material. A shape-formable apparatus can include an envelope defining a chamber, a port positioned to fluidly couple the chamber with ambience, and a fibrous material positioned in the chamber. The fibrous material can be substantially less formable when the apparatus is in the second state than when the apparatus is in the first state. The method can include providing the shape-formable apparatus in a first state; forming the apparatus into a desired shape; and reducing the pressure in the chamber to change the apparatus from the first state to a second state in which the apparatus is substantially less formable than in the first state.