Arthroscopic Graft Delivery Instrument Set
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for preparing and delivering fibrin clots to tissue repair sites are technically demanding due to the fragile consistency and small size of the clots, making it challenging to achieve consistent and efficient insertion through arthroscopic portals.
Innovation Solution
The development of an instrument set that includes a hopper for containing and shaping graft material, a transfer cutter for forming and ejecting the clot, and a handling instrument for manipulating the graft, which allows for the collection, shaping, and delivery of fibrin clots or other graft materials to a surgical site, facilitating their insertion through arthroscopic portals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional methods are used to prepare and transfer fibrin clots (manual stirring in metal pan or beaker, manual transfer to gauze pad), then the process can be performed with simple equipment, but the technical difficulty increases and consistency decreases due to the fragile consistency and small size of the clots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized instrument system including a preparation instrument with stirring mechanism and a delivery instrument with hopper as intermediary devices between the blood components and the final graft site. These intermediaries provide controlled environments for clot formation and transfer, reducing technical difficulty while improving consistency through standardized procedures and protected handling of the fragile graft material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the graft preparation and delivery process into distinct functional segments: a preparation instrument for forming the clot from blood components, a transfer mechanism involving a hopper for receiving and holding the formed graft, and a delivery system for inserting it arthroscopically. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall consistency while making the complex procedure more manageable.
2Device complexity
If manual handling and transfer of the clot is used (from stirrer to gauze pad, then shaping and cutting), then the equipment required is simple, but the time and technical skill required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple manual operations into integrated instrument systems. The preparation instrument combines stirring, clot formation, and initial shaping functions. The delivery instrument combines transfer, holding in the hopper, and arthroscopic delivery functions. This merging reduces the number of discrete manual transfer steps and associated time losses while maintaining equipment practicality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by forming the complete graft with appropriate shape and size within the preparation instrument before transfer. The hopper is pre-configured to receive and hold the formed graft, and the delivery instrument is prepared in advance. This eliminates time-consuming on-site shaping and preparation steps at the surgical site, reducing overall procedure time while keeping the equipment relatively simple.
3Device complexity
If the clot is formed and handled manually through multiple transfer steps, then the equipment remains simple, but the reliability and success rate decrease due to the fragile nature of the graft material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protected intermediary structures including the preparation instrument with its controlled environment for clot formation and the hopper as a protected holding chamber. These intermediaries shield the fragile graft material from damage during transfer and handling, improving reliability without requiring excessively complex equipment. The instruments provide mechanical protection and controlled conditions throughout the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible protective elements such as the hopper structure that can accommodate the soft, fragile graft material while providing protection. The delivery instrument incorporates flexible components that can adapt to the graft's delicate nature during arthroscopic insertion, preventing damage while maintaining equipment simplicity.
4Device complexity
If traditional manual preparation methods are used, then the equipment is simple and accessible, but the productivity and efficiency of the surgical procedure decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the graft preparation and delivery into specialized functional units: a preparation instrument for efficient clot formation, a hopper for rapid transfer and holding, and a delivery instrument for quick arthroscopic insertion. This segmentation enables each component to perform its function optimally and in sequence, improving overall surgical productivity while keeping individual components relatively simple and accessible.
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 instrument set enables more consistent and efficient formation, handling, and delivery of graft materials, such as fibrin clots, improving the ease and precision of tissue repair procedures by providing a system for forming and inserting grafts of appropriate dimensions through arthroscopic portals.
Implementation Method 1
A glass syringe barrel or a metal rod stirrer may then be used to stir the blood until some coagulation takes place
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 6A~6B
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention include instruments (100, 200, 400, 1100, 1400, 2100, 2400, 3400) and methods useful in delivering graft material (1) to a surgical site. Some embodiments may particularly be directed to forming a graft (1) and accurately and effectively handling and delivering the graft (1) to a surgical site arthroscopically. Graft material (1) may include blood components such as clotted fibrin derived from a patient's or a donor's blood.