Sutureless LVAD Inflow Cannula Fixation Using Vacuum Compression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current LVAD implantation techniques involve surgical sutures, leading to unstandardized procedures, significant postoperative bleeding, and increased thrombotic events, particularly at cannulation sites, which complicate patient outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A ventricular assist device utilizing a vacuum-based fixation system with a compliant silicon material and engagement mechanisms, eliminating the need for surgical sutures, and incorporating a fixation ring and inflow cannula designed for adult ventricle diameters, along with a core myocardium borer for standardized implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If surgical sutures are used to fix the inflow cannula to the myocardium, then the device can be securely fixed, but postoperative bleeding increases and thrombotic events occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation strengthVSAvoidbleeding and thrombotic events
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the suture material from the fixation system entirely. Instead of using surgical sutures to attach the inflow cannula to the myocardium, the invention employs a compression ring that directly compresses the tissue against the cannula, eliminating the need for penetrating sutures that cause bleeding and thrombus formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical suture-based fixation system with a compression-based mechanical system. The compression ring applies radial force to secure the cannula without requiring penetrating stitches, thereby substituting a harmful mechanical action (suturing) with a beneficial one (compression).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of manufacture

If traditional suture techniques are used for cannula fixation, then the procedure can be performed with standard tools, but the implantation procedure remains unstandardized and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of implantationVSAvoidprocedure standardization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is segmented into distinct functional components: the compression ring, the fixation wings, and the engagement mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall implantation procedure and enabling standardization while maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If compression force is applied to fix the cannula, then bleeding is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebleeding controlVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the compression function with the fixation structure itself. The compression ring is integrated with the fixation wings and engagement mechanisms, so that the same structural elements that provide mechanical fixation also deliver the compressive force needed to control bleeding, rather than requiring separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates sutures-free implantation, reduces bleeding and thrombotic events, and standardizes the implantation procedure, enhancing patient safety and surgical efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a vacuum fixer (30) which provides vacuuming and fixation of the fixation ring (20), connected to said vacuum fixer (30), onto the heart surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP4084855B1Vacuum assisted sutureless inflow cannula implantation of ventricular assist devices
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ELIBOL AHMET
  • EP4084855B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4084855B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4084855B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a ventricular assist device (1) comprising fixation ring (20) set and inflow cannula (10) designed in a suitable manner to the left ventricle diameters and average heart dimensions for the adult woman and man and where surgical suture is not used and which provides implantation facilitation and which provides controlling of all bleeding sites.