Rotating Cannula Clamping Mechanism for Adjustable Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cannulas are cumbersome to use due to a spring-biased clamping mechanism that requires manual force to keep open, lacks adjustable force, obstructs access, and can damage tissues with uneven engagement, and are bulky with handles that may interfere with organ perfusion apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A cannula design featuring rotatable clamping surfaces with a connecting structure allowing 90° to 360° rotation, a removable handle for improved manipulation, and complementary clamping surfaces for even force distribution, enabling single-handed operation and adjustable clamping force without handles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a spring-biased clamping mechanism is used to automatically close the cannula, then the clamping force is provided by default, but the cannula becomes difficult to open and the clamping force is not adjustable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring mechanism from the cannula design, extracting the automatic closing function that caused operational difficulty. The cannula now relies on the user's manual closing action rather than spring bias, making it easy to open while still providing sufficient clamping force when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dynamic, adjustable clamping mechanism where the user can control the closing force and maintain the cannula in either open or closed positions as needed. This replaces the static spring-biased system with a flexible, user-controlled system that adapts to different operational requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the cannula includes handles for manual operation, then the user can easily open and close the cannula, but the handles increase the size and may interfere with organ perfusion apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the handles from the cannula design, extracting the bulk that interferes with organ perfusion apparatus. The cannula is now designed to be manipulated directly by the user's fingers or with minimal tools, eliminating the space-consuming handles while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a slender, handleless design that allows the cannula to fit into tight spaces and navigate around organ perfusion apparatus. The reduced profile enables the cannula to function in confined surgical fields without the bulk of traditional handles.
3Volume of moving object
If the clamp heads are positioned close to the pin to reduce size, then the cannula becomes more compact, but the clamping surfaces engage tissue unevenly causing potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the clamping surfaces with optimized geometry and distribution patterns that ensure even force application across the tissue. The local structure of the clamping surfaces is engineered to match the tissue being clamped, distributing pressure uniformly and preventing focal points of excessive stress that could cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible or adjustable clamping mechanism that adapts to the tissue being clamped, allowing the clamping surfaces to conform and distribute force evenly. This dynamic adjustment prevents uneven engagement and potential tissue damage while maintaining a compact overall design.
4Device complexity
If the cannula uses a fixed clamping force determined by spring constant and tissue thickness, then the mechanism is simple, but the force cannot be adjusted for different tissue types or conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable or flexible clamping mechanism that allows the user to modify the clamping force according to different tissue types and surgical conditions. This dynamic system replaces the fixed spring constant with a controllable mechanism that adapts to varying requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables variation of the clamping force parameter through user control or material properties, allowing adjustment for different tissue characteristics. The system permits changing the mechanical parameters of the clamping action to match the specific surgical needs without requiring complex additional mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cannula includes a first clamping surface on a closing portion of the cannula, a second clamping surface on a base of a cannula, a connecting structure that connects the closing portion and the base. The connecting structure may allow the closing portion to be rotated around the second clamping surface. The cannula may include a repeatably removable handle.