Inflatable Bariatric Clamp for Adjustable Stomach Partitioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical clamps for bariatric surgery lack efficient mechanisms for partitioning the stomach without causing injury and provide inadequate flexibility and adjustability during installation.

Innovation Solution

A bariatric clamp with elongated portions, a flexible hinge, and inflatable sections, coupled with a specialized installation tool, allows for precise partitioning and secure attachment to the stomach, minimizing trauma and enabling adjustable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional rigid surgical clamp is used to partition the stomach, then the clamp structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it causes significant trauma to the stomach tissue and lacks adaptability to varying stomach thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying stomach thicknessesVSAvoidtrauma to stomach tissue

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic inflatable structure. The elongated portions can be inflated through the inflatable portion to adjust their volume and shape, allowing the clamp to adapt to different stomach thicknesses and contours while distributing pressure more evenly to reduce tissue trauma

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameters of the clamp (volume, shape, flexibility) are changed through inflation. By adjusting the inflation level, the clamp can accommodate varying stomach thicknesses and irregularities, transforming from a fixed-geometry device to an adjustable one that matches the anatomical variations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a traditional rigid surgical clamp is used, then the device complexity is low, but the precision of partitioning is insufficient for accommodating irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of partitioningVSAvoidclamp structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is divided into multiple functional segments: elongated portions for partitioning, a bight portion for flexibility, and an inflatable portion for adjustment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall precision in partitioning the stomach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable portion acts as an intermediary mechanism between the simple clamp structure and the complex requirement for precise partitioning. By inflating this intermediate component, the clamp achieves precise adaptation to stomach irregularities without requiring the entire structure to be complex

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid clamp is used for stomach partitioning, then the installation is straightforward, but the clamp cannot accommodate varying stomach thicknesses and irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of stomach variationsVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamp is pre-configured with an inflatable portion that can be activated during installation. This preliminary design allows the operator to inflate the clamp after positioning it on the stomach, enabling accommodation of varying thicknesses without complicating the initial placement procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inflatable portion allows the clamp to self-adjust to the stomach's geometry. Once positioned, the operator can inflate the clamp to make it conform to the specific anatomical variations, enabling the device to serve itself in adapting to different patient anatomies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 clamp effectively partitions the stomach, reducing trauma and enabling reversible surgery by providing adjustable, secure attachment and inflation control, facilitating safer and more effective bariatric procedures.

Implementation Method 1

an inflatable portion disposed at least partially along an interior section of the first elongated portion of the bariatric clamp; and a port coupled to the inflatable portion and configured to adjust inflation of the inflatable portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInflation: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentUS12611323B2Inflatable bariatric clamp

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 ADVANCED BARIATRIC TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A bariatric clamp may include substrate members overmolded in polymer forming first and second elongated portions, a bight portion having a flexible hinge, one or more inflatable portions disposed at least partially along interior sections of the first and second elongated portions; and a port coupled to at least one of the inflatable portions and configured to adjust inflation of the inflatable portions. The inflatable portions are provided to assist in retaining the clamp in a closed position to partition the stomach and to adjust a pressure of the clamp when partitioning the stomach.