Suction Grasper Traction for Atraumatic Left Atrial Appendage Clipping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Positioning an occlusion clip on the soft and flexible left atrial appendage is challenging due to its delicate nature, especially in minimally invasive procedures, and existing grasping devices risk tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A suction grasper with opposing jaws and a suction lumen is used to atraumatically engage and manipulate the left atrial appendage, allowing for the secure placement of an occlusion clip by creating an access port, delivering the grasper and clip, grasping the appendage with suction, repositioning for tension, and clamping the base.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional surgical grasping devices with teeth or large grasping forces are used, then the left atrial appendage can be manipulated and positioned, but the fragile tissue may be damaged causing rupture and irreparable damage to the heart
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical grasping systems (teeth-based forceps) with a suction-based grasping system. The suction grasper uses negative pressure applied through suction ports to engage and hold the left atrial appendage tissue, eliminating the need for mechanical teeth that could cause tissue damage. This substitution of the grasping mechanism fundamentally resolves the contradiction between manipulability and tissue safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a suction source connected to the grasper through a suction lumen. The suction source generates negative pressure that is transmitted through the suction lumen to the suction ports on the grasper jaws, creating a non-traumatic holding force on the tissue. This pneumatic approach allows secure manipulation without the harmful mechanical forces that could rupture the fragile appendage tissue.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the left atrial appendage is accessed in a minimally invasive manner via small incisions, then patient trauma is reduced, but positioning an occlusion clip on the left atrial appendage becomes challenging due to limited access and visualization
Solution Approach 1:
The suction grasper is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform multiple tasks: grasping and stabilizing the left atrial appendage, manipulating the tissue during clip positioning, and maintaining tension on the appendage throughout the procedure. This universal tool replaces the need for multiple specialized instruments, making the minimally invasive procedure more manageable despite limited access.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction grasper acts as an intermediary tool between the surgeon and the left atrial appendage tissue. It provides a stable interface that allows precise manipulation and positioning of the occlusion clip while protecting the fragile tissue from direct manual manipulation. The grasper mediates the interaction between the surgical instruments and the tissue, enabling accurate clip placement through the limited minimally invasive access.
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
Facilitates the secure and atraumatic placement of an occlusion clip on the left atrial appendage, reducing the risk of tissue damage and enhancing the efficacy of left atrial appendage exclusion procedures.
Implementation Method 1
grasping the left atrial appendage via the suction grasper by applying suction to an exterior of the left atrial appendage so that a portion of the left atrial appendage interposes the opposing jaws while suction is applied via the suction ports
Data Source
AI summary
A method of positioning an occlusion clip proximate a left atrial appendage may include creating an access port that exposes the left atrial appendage; delivering a suction grasper via the access port, the suction grasper including opposing jaws each having a suction port; delivering an occlusion clip via the access port; grasping the left atrial appendage via the suction grasper by applying suction to an exterior of the left atrial appendage so that a portion of the left atrial appendage interposes the opposing jaws while suction is applied via the suction ports; repositioning the suction grasper to tension the left atrial appendage; delivering an occlusion clip via the access port; clamping a base of the left atrial appendage using the occlusion clip while the suction grasper applies tension to the left atrial appendage; and/or egressing the suction grasper via the access port.