Biocompatible Solid Mass for Lumen Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current anastomosis techniques in surgical procedures are labor-intensive and time-consuming, particularly in microvascular and coronary artery bypass graft surgeries, often resulting in prolonged patient morbidity due to the complexity of connecting non-conjoined lumens with varying diameters and the challenges of working on a moving surface, such as a beating heart.
Innovation Solution
The method involves stabilizing the geometry of terminal portions of tubular tissues using biocompatible solid masses like sol-gels, waxes, or thixotropic agents, which provide structural integrity and facilitate alignment and joining of lumens, followed by removal through phase changes or dissolution, allowing for faster and more precise anastomosis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hand-sewn anastomosis techniques are used to connect non-conjoined lumens, then the procedure can be performed with basic surgical tools, but the procedure is labor-intensive and time-consuming resulting in prolonged patient morbidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming stent grafts with predetermined geometric configurations that match the specific anatomy of the vessels to be connected. The stent grafts are prepared in advance with features such as tapered sections, flared ends, and specific curvature profiles that facilitate immediate alignment and connection of the lumens, eliminating the need for time-consuming intraoperative shaping and manual suturing techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical hand-sewing system with a device-based system that uses pre-formed stent grafts with integrated connection features. The stent grafts incorporate geometric designs such as tapered sections and flared ends that enable mechanical interlocking or friction-fit connections between lumens, substituting the manual needle-and-thread mechanical system with a pre-engineered structural solution that achieves faster anastomosis
2Ease of operation
If conventional anastomosis techniques are used on moving surfaces such as a beating heart, then the surgery can proceed without stopping the heart, but the movement makes precise alignment and joining of lumens extremely difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by designing stent grafts with specific geometric parameters such as tapered sections, flared ends, and predetermined curvatures that are optimized for connection stability. These geometric parameters are engineered to provide friction-fit connections and mechanical interlocking features that maintain stable alignment between lumens even on moving surfaces like a beating heart, without requiring the heart to be stopped during the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the stent graft itself as an intermediary component between the two lumens to be connected. The stent graft incorporates geometric features such as tapered sections and flared ends that act as mediators, facilitating alignment and providing stable mechanical connection between the lumens on the moving heart surface, thereby eliminating the need for complex suturing techniques that would be difficult to perform on a beating heart
3Adaptability or versatility
If lumens with varying diameters are connected using traditional methods, then the procedure can accommodate different vessel sizes, but the complexity of matching and ligating non-identical tubular tissues increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing stent grafts with asymmetric geometric features including tapered sections that transition from one diameter to another, flared ends for easier insertion, and non-uniform curvature profiles. These asymmetric designs naturally accommodate lumens with varying diameters by providing gradual transitions and mechanical interlocking features that simplify the connection process between vessels of different sizes, eliminating the need for complex matching and suturing techniques
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
This approach significantly reduces the time required for anastomosis, improves the quality of the procedure, and minimizes complications by stabilizing the lumens and enabling efficient flow restoration, as demonstrated by reduced patency rates and mortality in animal models compared to conventional hand-sewn methods.
Implementation Method 1
the sol-gel composition is removable from the joined lumens upon phase transition to a liquid state in response to body fluid
Implementation Method 2
providing a biocompatible solid mass in at least the distal portion of at least one of the lumens
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions, methods, and kits for joining together non-conjoined lumens in a patient's body including vascular lumens. More particularly, in various aspects, this invention provides compositions, methods, and kits for joining such non-conjoined lumens, including small lumens typically requiring microsurgical technique.