Semi-Circular Ligation Clip With Alternating Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical clips often cause tissue damage due to sharp edges and meshed protrusions, and are difficult to remove without damaging the vessel or requiring separate tools.
Innovation Solution
The design features a semi-circular cross-section with rounded edges and alternating rounded protrusions and depressions on the vessel engaging surfaces, allowing for atraumatic application and removal by sliding, without meshing protrusions, and flat surfaces to prevent tissue damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a full mesh of opposing teeth or clip protrusions is used, then the clip provides secure engagement with the vessel, but it cannot be removed by sliding and requires a separate removal tool
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh of protrusions is segmented into alternating rows on opposing legs, with gaps between the rows. This segmentation allows the clip to engage securely with the vessel while creating pathways that enable sliding removal, resolving the contradiction between secure engagement and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful meshing action is extracted by removing the continuous mesh pattern and replacing it with discrete, alternating protrusions separated by gaps. This extraction eliminates the interlocking mechanism that prevents removal while retaining the engagement function.
2Ease of manufacture
If sharp edges are included on the clip, then the clip structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it causes tissue damage to the vessel and surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
All edges and corners of the clip are rounded to create a semi-circular cross-section throughout. This curvature eliminates sharp edges that cause tissue damage while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and harm reduction.
3Strength
If protrusions are designed to mesh together, then the clip provides strong clamping force, but it causes puncture or damage to the vessel upon application
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed with rounded surfaces rather than sharp points, and they are arranged in alternating rows that prevent meshing. This curved design distributes clamping force evenly without concentrating stress at sharp points, providing strong clamping while preventing vessel puncture.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing protrusions to mesh together for clamping force, the invention inverts the approach by using non-meshing alternating protrusions with rounded surfaces. This inversion achieves clamping force through distributed contact pressure rather than interlocking meshing, eliminating vessel damage.
Data Source
AI summary
The ligation clip includes opposing legs connected at a connection point at which the clip pivots to the clamped position on a vessel. The entire clip has a completely semi-circular outside surface. The inside vessel engaging surfaces of the legs of the clip have a unique vessel retaining system that includes a plurality of rounded protrusions alternating with rounded depressions. The retaining system is positioned “within” the inside vessel engaging surfaces of the legs such that a flat surface remains adjacent to our around the retaining system. In addition, there are no sharp edges associated with the ligation clip. All transition points between the outer and inner surfaces of the clip are rounded to prevent any sharp edges.