Simultaneous Clip Applicator for Cystic Artery Ligation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures face challenges in efficiently applying multiple surgical clips simultaneously to the cystic artery and cystic duct due to issues with clip applicator design, such as kinking, jamming, and the inability to place clips in close proximity, leading to increased procedure time and potential bleeding.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic device with a clip applicator attachment that deploys three surgical clips simultaneously at fixed distances, using a trigger-activated mechanism to clamp the cystic artery and cystic duct, allowing for quick excision of the gallbladder, with a clip guide ensuring precise placement and easy loading of replacement clips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional clip applicators are used to apply multiple clips sequentially, then clips can be applied one at a time, but the procedure time increases and surgical efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple clip application functions into a single integrated applicator device that can deploy multiple surgical clips simultaneously. The applicator includes a body with multiple lumen and a deployment mechanism that releases multiple clips at once, merging what would traditionally require multiple separate application steps into one unified operation, thereby reducing procedure time and increasing surgical efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-loads multiple surgical clips onto the applicator device before insertion, with clips positioned at predetermined locations along the applicator shaft. This preliminary arrangement allows the surgeon to deploy multiple clips simultaneously upon activation, eliminating the need to load and apply clips sequentially during the procedure, thus reducing overall procedure time
2Reliability
If clips are applied in close proximity to each other, then complete ligation of cystic artery and duct is achieved, but clip kinking and jamming occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the clip deployment function into separate lumens within the applicator body, with each lumen dedicated to delivering a specific clip. This segmentation allows independent control and deployment of each clip, preventing kinking and jamming that would occur if clips were bundled together, while still enabling close proximity placement for complete ligation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a push rod as an intermediary mechanism that sequentially pushes clips through the applicator and onto the target tissue. The push rod acts as a mediator between the surgeon's activation and the clip deployment, controlling the timing and position of each clip release to prevent kinking and jamming while maintaining close spacing for reliable ligation
3Ease of operation
If wide jaws are used in the applicator, then clip loading is easier, but adjacent clips cannot be placed in close proximity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the applicator jaws and internal structures tailored to specific regions - the proximal end has features for easy clip loading while the distal end has precision features for accurate clip placement at predetermined locations. Different portions of the applicator have optimized properties for their specific functions, allowing both easy loading and precise close-proximity placement
Data Source
AI summary
A system, device, and method for clamping off a cystic artery or cystic duct during a cholecystectomy includes using a trio of surgical clips which are released from a clip applicator in a simultaneous fashion so that the cystic artery and cystic duct are clamped off using only a single trigger firing operation from the clip applicator.