LAA Clamp with Textured Surface for Secure Retraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for excluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) during cardiovascular surgery face challenges in securely grasping and positioning the LAA due to its slippery surface and the interference of a surgical assistant's hand, which impedes the surgeon's access and increases procedural complexity.
Innovation Solution
A clamp with knurled or textured facing portions is attached to the LAA and can be locked in place, allowing for secure grasping and retraction, and is adjustable to be connected to a thoracic retractor, enabling the LAA to be positioned without human assistance and minimizing interference with the surgeon's access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a surgical assistant manually grasps and retracts the LAA, then the LAA can be positioned for exclusion, but the assistant's hand interferes with the surgeon's access and increases procedural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the LAA retraction function from manual surgical assistance and transfers it to a mechanical retraction device. The device includes a retraction element that can be attached to the LAA and a retraction mechanism that moves the LAA without requiring a surgical assistant's hand, thereby eliminating the interference with the surgeon's access while maintaining effective LAA positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mechanical retraction device as an intermediary between the surgeon and the LAA. This device serves as a mediator that performs the retraction function without requiring direct manual manipulation by the surgical assistant, thus resolving the conflict between effective LAA positioning and unobstructed surgical access
2Ease of operation
If the LAA is grasped manually, then retraction can be achieved, but the slippery surface of the LAA makes secure grasping difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the retraction element with a textured or knurled surface that creates high-friction contact points specifically at the grasping interface with the LAA. This localized surface treatment ensures secure grasping of the slippery LAA tissue without affecting other parts of the device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual grasping mechanism (human hand) with a mechanical retraction element that has engineered surface properties. This mechanical substitute provides consistent and reliable grasping through its textured surface design, overcoming the limitations of manual grasping on slippery tissue surfaces
3Reliability
If open heart surgery is performed to implant barrier devices in the LAA, then thrombus exclusion can be achieved, but the procedure becomes extremely invasive with increased risk of hemorrhage and infection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the exclusion function from invasive internal implantation and relocates it to an external mechanical retraction system. By taking out the barrier device implantation step and replacing it with external retraction, the system achieves thrombus exclusion without requiring open heart surgery, thereby eliminating the associated hemorrhage and infection risks
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional approach by moving the exclusion mechanism from inside the LAA (internal implantation) to outside the LAA (external retraction). This inversion allows the exclusion function to be performed externally through mechanical retraction and occlusion, avoiding the need for invasive surgical opening and foreign device implantation within the LAA
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 allows for secure and controlled retraction of the LAA, providing the surgeon with unobstructed access to apply exclusion devices, reducing procedural time and risk of complications such as bleeding and tissue necrosis.
Implementation Method 1
A clamp with knurled or textured facing portions is attached to the LAA and can be locked in place, allowing for secure grasping and retraction
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp is provided for attachment to the left atrial appendage (LAA). The clamp can be locked in a closed position so as to remain in place on the LAA. After being attached to the LAA, the clamp can be moved to a desired position such that the LAA can be retracted to a desired extent. The clamp can be held in any desired position, preferably by being connected to a thoracic retractor that is being used to retract the patient's sternum or ribs. A movable member is connected between the clamp and a stationary portion of the retractor. By locking the movable member in a fixed position relative to the stationary portion, the clamp can be maintained in a desired position and the LAA can be retracted as desired.