Sealing Cuff with Protrusions for Anastomosis Reinforcement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical staplers often cause tissue tears during procedures, leading to leaks and inflammation, especially in tubular body organs like the colon, due to the lack of natural flexibility and the difficulty in delivering and controlling sealants effectively.
Innovation Solution
A surgical kit featuring a sealing cuff with protrusions and sutures to distribute sealant uniformly around a tubular body organ, combined with expandable members to maintain contact and anastomosis reinforcement, along with various sealant options that transition from liquid to solid states for enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgical staplers are used to seal body lumens, then tissue sealing is achieved, but tissue tears and leaks occur due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible sealant material that conforms to the tissue surface rather than rigid staples that create stress concentrations. The sealant forms a flexible membrane over the staple line that distributes mechanical stress evenly, preventing tissue tears while maintaining sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite sealing system combining surgical staples with an overlying sealant material. The staples provide initial mechanical closure while the sealant material provides a flexible sealing layer that prevents leaks and reduces tissue inflammation through its conformable nature.
2Reliability
If sealant is applied to tubular body organs, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but difficulty in delivering and controlling sealant position occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a delivery catheter as an intermediary device that guides the sealant material to the precise location along the staple line. The catheter system allows controlled dispensing of sealant and maintains positioning stability, enabling the surgeon to accurately place sealant material where needed without manual manipulation difficulties.
3Reliability
If expandable members are used to maintain contact, then sealing contact is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs expandable members that can transition between compressed and expanded states to maintain optimal contact between the sealant and tissue. The expandable members are inflated or expanded after sealant application to ensure continuous contact and proper sealing, then deflated and removed, providing dynamic adaptability without permanent structural complexity.
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 solution effectively prevents leaks and inflammation by ensuring a uniform and durable seal around anastomosis sites, maintaining organ function and reducing the risk of infection.
Implementation Method 1
various sealant options that transition from liquid to solid states for enhanced sealing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
Various surgical kits are provided including a sealing cuff configured to be positioned around a body lumen and a sealant. In one embodiment, the sealing cuff can form an enclosed loop around an anastomosis and can define an interior chamber for receiving sealant therein. The sealing cuff can ensure that sealant remains in contact with the body lumen as the sealant cures and reinforces the anastomosis. Methods for sealing an anastomosis are also provided and include delivering sealant to the sealing cuff, inserting inflatable members so that they are positioned adjacent to the anastomosis, and delivering fluid to at least one of the inflatable members to expand an inner wall of the tubular organ. In certain aspects, gas and/or liquid can be delivered to an anastomosis, such as after the sealant has solidified, in order to test the effectiveness of the seal.