Polymeric Ligating Clip with Staggered Ribs for Secure Vascular Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polymeric ligating clips face challenges in securely attaching to vascular walls without causing tissue damage or slippage, while also being compatible with conventional applicators and suitable for mass production.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece polymeric ligating clip with a pair of legs featuring rows of transverse ribs with sharp prongs that impale the vascular tissue for improved retention, minimizing slippage and tissue trauma, and designed for use with conventional applicators and economical mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymeric ligating clips with smooth inner faces are used, then the clips are easy to manufacture and compatible with conventional applicators, but they cause slippage on vascular walls and insufficient retention
Solution Approach 1:
The inner face of the clip leg is equipped with ribs having protrusions that locally concentrate clamping force at specific contact points on the vascular wall. This local quality enhancement provides secure retention through mechanical interlocking while the overall clip structure remains gentle on tissue, resolving the contradiction between retention and tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous inner face surface is segmented into multiple ribs with discrete protrusions. This segmentation allows the clip to distribute retention forces across multiple localized points rather than relying on a single large contact area, improving grip security while minimizing the total area of tissue compression and potential damage.
2Reliability
If metallic ligating clips are used, then sufficient clamping force and retention are achieved, but they interfere with imaging techniques such as CT and MRI
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is constructed from polymeric material that combines the mechanical properties needed for sufficient clamping force with the imaging compatibility of non-metallic composition. The ribbed structure with protrusions compensates for the inherently lower strength of polymer compared to metal, achieving both retention and imaging compatibility simultaneously.
3Reliability
If spaced ribs extending transversely across the inner face are used, then retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ribbed structure with protrusions is designed to be formed directly in the molding process without requiring secondary operations. The self-service feature allows the complex surface geometry to be created in a single injection molding step, eliminating additional manufacturing steps and maintaining ease of production while achieving improved retention.
Data Source
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AI summary
A one piece molded polymeric ligating clip comprises a pair of curved legs having a unitary hinge at a proximal end and a latch at a distal end. The inner face of each leg includes two rows of transverse ribs, with the rows separated from one another along a longitudinal center line of each leg. The ribs of one row are staggered with respect to the ribs of the other row of the same leg as well as ribs of the corresponding rows on the other leg. Each rib includes a sloped flexible tapered sharp pointed prong which projects away from the inner face of the respective leg and toward the longitudinal center of the leg. The sharp pointed prongs impale the vessel wall when the clip is closed around a vessel or duct.