Resilient Clamp for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for occluding the left atrial appendage, such as percutaneous transcatheter occlusion and surgical stapling, are inadequate in ensuring complete closure, leading to potential clot formation and dislodgement, which increases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Innovation Solution
A clamp device with elongate clamping portions and resilient urging members that can be deployed to occlude the left atrial appendage, featuring a design that allows for complete visualization and adjustment during minimally invasive procedures, ensuring secure closure without the need for a heart-lung bypass machine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If percutaneous transcatheter occlusion or surgical stapling is used to occlude the left atrial appendage, then the procedure can be performed, but complete closure is not ensured, leading to potential clot formation and dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device is divided into two separate clamping portions that can be independently positioned and secured around the left atrial appendage. This segmentation allows for complete circumferential occlusion by distributing the clamping force around the entire structure, ensuring no gaps remain that could allow clot formation or dislodgement.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient urging members provide dynamic clamping force that can adapt to the specific size and shape of the left atrial appendage. The spring mechanism allows the clamps to maintain consistent occlusive pressure regardless of variations in anatomical parameters, ensuring reliable complete closure across different patients.
2Ease of operation
If current occlusion methods are used, then the procedure can be completed, but visualization and adjustment during minimally invasive procedures are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device incorporates resilient urging members with spring mechanisms that allow for dynamic adjustment during the procedure. The clamps can be easily opened, repositioned, and reclosed, providing surgeons with flexibility to achieve optimal positioning and complete occlusion even during minimally invasive procedures with limited visualization.
3Productivity
If traditional surgical methods are used, then occlusion can be achieved, but the use of a heart-lung bypass machine is required
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp device is designed to be self-retaining through its spring mechanism, eliminating the need for continuous mechanical support or complex surgical equipment during the occlusion procedure. The resilient urging members automatically maintain clamping force once the device is applied, allowing the procedure to be completed without a heart-lung bypass machine.
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 clamp device provides reliable and complete occlusion of the left atrial appendage, reducing the risk of clot formation and dislodgement, thereby minimizing the risk of stroke and improving patient safety during both open and minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
resilient urging members configured to urge at least one of the first and second elongate clamping portions toward the other of the first and second elongate clamping portions
Data Source
AI summary
A clamp having at least first and second elongate clamping portions adapted to be placed on opposite sides of the hollow anatomical structure. The first and second elongate clamping portions respectively include ends coupled together with respective resilient urging members configured to urge at least one of the first and second elongate clamping portions toward the other of the first and second elongate clamping portions from an open position into a clamping position to occlude the hollow anatomical structure. The clamp includes tissue ingrowth structure on the clamping portions.