Self-adjusting Tissue Holder for Heart Valve Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing and treating heart valve tissue during conditioning and testing protocols often result in mechanical weakening and fluid leakage, as existing securement systems fail to account for tissue volume changes and provide a tight seal, leading to ineffective tissue retention and conditioning.
Innovation Solution
A tissue holder with a clamping mechanism and spring system that aligns and secures heart valve tissue between two holding plates, maintaining clamping force and adjusting to changes in tissue size, allowing for hands-free handling throughout multiple treatment regimens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional securement systems are used to hold tissue during treatment, then the tissue can be retained in position, but the tissue experiences mechanical weakening and fluid leakage due to inability to accommodate tissue volume changes
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue holder employs a dynamic clamping mechanism with a spring element that automatically adjusts clamping force in response to tissue volume changes during treatment. As tissue swells or shrinks, the spring compresses or extends accordingly, maintaining optimal clamping pressure without exceeding tissue strength thresholds, thus preventing both leakage and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the clamping force parameter dynamically based on tissue state. The spring mechanism translates tissue volume changes into corresponding clamping force adjustments, ensuring the holding force remains within safe limits while maintaining secure retention throughout the treatment process
2Reliability
If traditional securement systems are used to hold tissue during treatment, then the tissue can be retained in position, but fluid leakage occurs due to inability to provide tight seal against tissue volume changes
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic spring-loaded clamping mechanism continuously adapts to tissue volume changes, maintaining constant contact pressure between the holding plates and tissue surface. This dynamic adjustment ensures a tight seal is maintained throughout treatment, preventing fluid leakage while accommodating natural tissue swelling or shrinking
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides inherent feedback control where tissue volume changes directly influence clamping force. As tissue expands or contracts, it physically moves the spring, which automatically adjusts the clamping pressure to maintain optimal sealing contact, creating a self-regulating system that prevents leakage
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required during treatment regimens to adjust tissue holding, then tissue can be repositioned as needed, but treatment efficiency decreases and hands-free handling is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue holder is designed as a self-adjusting system where the spring mechanism automatically compensates for tissue volume changes without requiring external intervention. The device serves itself by using tissue movement to drive clamping force adjustments, enabling truly hands-free operation throughout multiple treatment regimens while maintaining secure retention and preventing leakage
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 tissue holder effectively grips and secures heart valve tissue during decellularization, seeding, and conditioning, maintaining pressure and preventing leakage, enabling secure and efficient treatment protocols without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The tissue holder can include a spring. The spring can be held between the clamping mechanism and either the first holding plate or the second holding plate. During use, the spring can maintain the clamping force between the two holding plates.
Data Source
AI summary
Tissue holders that can be used for gripping natural or synthetic heart valves are described. The tissue holder can include a clamping mechanism and a spring and can be self-adjusting with regard to pressure applied to the tissue gripped in the holder. The tissue holder can be removably attached to systems for processing the tissues and can provide completely hands-free processing of a tissue from development or excisement to implantation and/or completion of testing.