Rotatable Suture Flanges for Heart Prosthesis Auricle Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heart prostheses face challenges in optimally orienting natural auricles due to their flexible and interconnected nature, leading to potential torsion and compression issues during connection, which can only be corrected by re-suturing after detachment.
Innovation Solution
The heart prosthesis employs individual suture flanges that are free to rotate and removably mounted on the bezels, allowing for correction of auricle orientation by rotating the flanges relative to the bezel, and featuring elastic material for secure sealing and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed suture ring is used to connect auricles to the second bezel, then the connection structure is simple, but the auricles cannot be properly oriented due to their flexibility and interconnection, leading to torsion and compression
Solution Approach 1:
The suture ring is divided into multiple independent suture flanges (at least three flanges) that can rotate independently relative to each other. Each flange can be oriented separately to accommodate the flexible auricles, allowing proper orientation without torsion or compression while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture flanges are made rotatable relative to the second bezel and relative to each other, transforming the static fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the auricles to be oriented correctly during surgery by rotating the flanges to appropriate angles, eliminating torsion and compression issues.
2Reliability
If auricles are sutured to a fixed suture ring, then the connection is stable, but orientation errors cannot be corrected without detaching and re-suturing
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable suture flanges provide a dynamic connection that maintains stability through secure suturing while allowing orientation correction by simply rotating the flanges. This eliminates the need for detachment and re-suturing, as the flanges can be adjusted to the correct orientation while remaining attached to the bezel.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows self-correction of orientation errors through the rotatable flanges. During surgery, if orientation is not optimal, the flanges can be rotated to the correct position without requiring surgical detachment or additional surgical intervention, making the system self-adjusting.
3Ease of operation
If individual rotatable suture flanges are used, then auricle orientation can be corrected by rotation, but the connection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The suture ring is segmented into multiple independent rotatable flanges, each capable of independent rotation. This segmentation allows simple rotational adjustment of each flange to achieve proper auricle orientation without requiring complex mechanisms, as each flange operates independently with simple rotational degrees of freedom.
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
This solution enables precise and secure connection of auricles with reduced need for re-suturing, enhancing the operational stability and efficiency of the heart prosthesis by allowing for in-situ correction of orientation errors.
Implementation Method 1
a ring made of elastic material, for example an elastomer, that can serve as a seal when it is pressed between said bezels in the connected position
Data Source
AI summary
A device for connection between a heart prosthesis and a person's natural auricles includes a structure for joining to the natural auricles with individual suture attachments mounted so as to be free in rotation and movable.