Multi-Way Anastomotic Coupler Rings for End-to-Side Anastomosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microvascular anastomotic devices are designed for end-to-end joining of blood vessels and lack the capability to perform end-to-side anastomosis, which involves connecting the free end of a donor vessel into the side of a recipient vessel.
Innovation Solution
A multi-way coupler ring assembly that enables end-to-side anastomosis by coupling a first and second receiving vessel ends with a donor vessel in a three-way junction, using a first and second receiving coupler ring and a donor coupler ring with wedged faces for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional microvascular anastomotic devices are used, then end-to-end joining of blood vessels is achieved, but end-to-side anastomosis cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler ring assembly is designed to perform multiple anastomosis functions (end-to-end and end-to-side) through a single unified structure. The assembly can be configured to couple either two vessels in end-to-end fashion or three vessels in end-to-side fashion by selectively engaging the donor coupler ring with one or two receiving coupler rings, eliminating the need for multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into modular components: a first receiving coupler ring, a second receiving coupler ring, and a donor coupler ring. These segmented components can be independently positioned and selectively engaged to achieve different anastomosis configurations, providing versatility while maintaining manageable device complexity through modularity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-way coupler ring assembly is used, then end-to-side anastomosis is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler rings feature asymmetric design elements including a tapered inner circumference with a smaller diameter at one end compared to the other end. This asymmetric geometry provides natural orientation and engagement guidance, reducing the complexity of positioning and assembly while enabling the multi-way coupling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a nested configuration where the donor coupler ring can be positioned within or alongside the receiving coupler rings during the coupling process. This nesting approach allows the multi-component assembly to be managed in a compact, organized manner, reducing operational complexity despite the increased versatility.
3Productivity
If conventional anastomotic techniques are used, then manual suturing is required, but surgical time and precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler ring assembly serves as an intermediary device that mechanically joins vessels without requiring direct manual suturing. The coupler rings with their tapered inner circumferences act as mediators that guide vessel alignment and provide a structured interface for coupling, reducing both the time required and the precision demands on the surgeon compared to conventional manual techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
The multi-way coupler ring assembly is configured to couple a first end of a receiving vessel with a second end of the receiving vessel, and is further configured to couple a donor vessel to the first and second ends of the receiving vessel in a three-way junction. The multi-way coupler ring assembly includes a first receiving coupler ring configured to receive a first receiving vessel and a second receiving coupler ring configured to receive a second receiving vessel and couple with the first receiving coupler ring. The multi-way coupler ring assembly further includes a donor coupler ring configured to receive the donor vessel and couple with the first receiving coupler ring and the second receiving coupler ring. The first receiving coupler ring, the second receiving coupler ring and the donor coupler ring each respectively define a wedged face to enable three-way simultaneous or stepwise coupling with one another.