Offset Tine Anastomosis Staple for Compliant Vessel Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional anastomosis procedures are time-consuming and often require noncompliant devices, which are not suitable for situations requiring diameter adjustment, such as distal anastomosis in coronary artery bypass grafting, where a compliant anastomosis is preferred to accommodate blood flow changes.
Innovation Solution
An anastomosis staple with a rectangular base and offset, moveable tines that deform from a penetration configuration to a secure configuration, facilitated by an anvil or notch-induced bending, allowing for controlled deployment and secure vessel connection without interference between tines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional suturing is used for anastomosis, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and painstaking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of suturing (securing vessels together) and implements it through a staple device with tines that penetrate and clamp vessels, eliminating the need for time-consuming hand suturing while maintaining connection security
Solution Approach 2:
The staple device is designed to be self-deploying through the use of shape memory alloy tines that automatically transform from a delivery configuration to a deployed configuration upon contact with the anvil, securing the vessels without requiring complex manual manipulation or additional actuation mechanisms
2Stability of the object's composition
If noncompliant anastomosis devices are used, then the device structure is simple and stable, but the diameter cannot change in response to blood flow pulsing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of the tines from austenite (rigid) to martensite (flexible) through temperature or stress-induced transformation, enabling the anastomosis device to adapt its diameter in response to blood flow pulsing while maintaining structural stability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The staple device incorporates dynamic elements through shape memory alloy tines that can transform between different configurations, allowing the device to transition from a stable, fixed structure during deployment to a flexible, adaptive structure during physiological operation
3Volume of moving object
If multiple tines are positioned close together on the staple base, then the device structure is compact, but the tines interfere with one another during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the tines in a delivery configuration where they are spaced apart and non-interfering during deployment, then transforming them to a compact deployed configuration after penetration, thus achieving both compact size and smooth deployment
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 staple enables efficient and compliant anastomosis, reducing the risk of leakage and turbulence by securely holding vessels together while minimizing material exposure to blood, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and patient outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The tines may be moved from the first configuration to the second configuration at least partially as a result of contact with an anvil or other member
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical staple for connecting two tubular tissue structures may include a substantially rectangular base having a first edge and a second edge substantially parallel to one another, and a third edge substantially perpendicular to the first and said second edges; and may also include at least three deformable tines extending from the first and second edges of said base; where no tine that extends from the first edge may be positioned at substantially the same distance from the third edge as any said tine that extends from the second edge; and where deformation of the tines secures the tubular tissue structures together.