Miniaturized Valve Cusp Sizer Without Grip for Aortic Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional valve cusp sizers are large and difficult to handle, making it challenging to insert them into the narrow aorta and requiring a large container for multiple sizes, which increases operative time and risks vessel wall injury.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized valve cusp sizer design without a grip member, featuring a pinching portion for clamping or tweezers use, allowing easy insertion and reduced risk of injury, with contact probe portions for accurate size measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a grip member is attached to each differently-sized sizer block, then the sizer can be easily gripped by hand, but the entire size becomes large and difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the grip member from the sizer block, separating the measurement function from the handling function. The sizer block itself is designed to be miniaturized while maintaining its measurement capability, and handling is achieved through alternative means (tweezers, forceps, or direct manipulation of the small size) rather than through an attached grip member.
2Ease of operation
If a long-extended grip member is used, then the sizer can be gripped comfortably, but it becomes difficult to insert into the narrow aorta
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member is completely removed from the design. The sizer block is miniaturized to dimensions that allow direct insertion into the aorta without requiring a long grip extension. Handling is achieved through the small size itself or with minimal intervention tools.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple differently-sized sizer blocks with grip members are provided, then various valve cusp sizes can be measured, but a large container is required for storage
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple differently-sized sizer blocks are designed to nest within each other like dolls, with smaller sizers fitting inside larger ones. This nested arrangement dramatically reduces the storage volume required while maintaining the ability to measure various valve cusp sizes. The sizers are arranged in ascending or descending order of size to optimize the nesting configuration.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a large container is used for storage, then all sizer types can be accommodated, but it is difficult to keep at the operator's hand
Solution Approach 1:
The nested arrangement of sizer blocks creates a compact, nested structure that can be easily held and transported in the operator's hand. The nested configuration minimizes the overall dimensions while containing the complete set of differently-sized sizers, making the entire collection portable and accessible during surgical procedures.
5Device complexity
If the sizer head is large, then grip members can be attached, but it risks injuring the vessel wall upon contact
Solution Approach 1:
The grip member that would require a large sizer head is removed. The sizer block is miniaturized to a small size that inherently reduces the risk of vessel wall injury upon contact. The measurement function is preserved in the miniaturized form without requiring a large head structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To provide a valve cusp sizer which is small and easy to handle. [Solution] The present invention relates to a valve cusp sizer 100 for determining the size of a valve cusp depending on the size of a cardiac valve. The valve cusp sizer 100 includes a front surface 10 formed in an arcuate surface form to be abutted against an organism, a back surface 20 positioned on an opposite surface side of the front surface 10, and a pinching portion 30 protruding from the back surface 20. By removing a grip member and a grip member attachment portion from a conventional valve cusp sizer in this manner, and by forming the pinching portion 30 to be held by a clamp, tweezers, or the like, it is possible to dramatically miniaturize the valve cusp sizer while maintaining necessary functions of the valve cusp sizer.