Nonjacketing Side-Entry Connectors for Secure Tissue Junctions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical technologies face challenges in creating durable, leak-free, and long-term connections between synthetic and native conduits, particularly in non-tubular and large-caliber anatomical structures, which limits the effectiveness of drug delivery and electrical stimulation treatments.
Innovation Solution
Nonjacketing side-entry connectors with thermally responsive viscoelastic polyurethane foam cushioning and a pliant mounting platform that securely attach to tissue, providing an accessory fluid delivery line to maintain sterility and prevent clotting, while allowing for precise drug targeting and electrical stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional surgical fasteners (staples) are used to create connections between synthetic and native conduits, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of the connection is insufficient and clotting cannot be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into distinct functional segments: a baseplate for tissue attachment, an accessory channel for drug delivery, and a main lumen for fluid flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving overall connection reliability while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
An accessory channel serves as an intermediary system that delivers clot-preventing drugs directly to the connection site. This mediator approach prevents clotting without requiring complex mechanical structures, thereby improving reliability while keeping the device design manageable
2Reliability
If drug delivery systems are implemented to maintain sterility and prevent clotting at the connection site, then the reliability of the connection improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector merges the mechanical connection function with the drug delivery function in a single integrated structure. The baseplate simultaneously provides tissue attachment and houses the accessory channel for drug delivery, improving sterility maintenance while avoiding the complexity of separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The connector serves multiple functions: mechanical attachment of conduits, maintenance of sterility through drug delivery, and prevention of clotting. This multi-functionality approach improves reliability comprehensively while the integrated design prevents excessive complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If direct drug targeting is implemented through the connector, then adverse reactions are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector implements local quality by delivering drugs directly to the specific connection site through the accessory channel. This localized drug delivery reduces adverse reactions systemically while the simple channel structure avoids complex precision manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory channel provides a simplified copy of the main lumen's drug delivery function, but localized to the connection site. This copying approach enables targeted drug delivery without replicating the complexity of the entire fluid delivery system
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
Enables reliable, long-term connections for direct drug delivery and electrical stimulation to specific tissues, reducing adverse reactions and side effects by minimizing tissue exposure to medications and preventing clotting, thus enhancing treatment efficacy and durability.
Implementation Method 1
thermally responsive viscoelastic polyurethane foam cushioning
Implementation Method 2
pliant mounting platform that securely attach to tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a connector suitable for securely infixing a catheter, electrode, hollow needle, probe, or other styliform device with its tip stabilized within a nontubular anatomical structure. Secure junctions between fluid lines and/or electrodes and tissue are essential for automatic controls and permanent nephrostomies and suprapubic cystostomies, for example, using synthetic materials. These can be made self-contained and fully implanted to treat one chronic condition, or represent but one module controlled as an axis or channel of control in an adaptive ambulatory hierarchical prosthetic disorder response system used to automatically coordinate the treatment of chronic comorbid disease. Such applications require prosthesis-to-native tissue junctions which are secure, immobile, unsusceptible to leaks or microbial intrusion, and require little if any maintenance. Connection for securely and least disruptively merging catheteric and native lumina is described in nonprovisional application Ser. No. 14/121,365, entitled Ductus Side-entry Jackets and Prosthetic Disorder Response Systems, filed on 25 Aug. 2014.