Surgical Constricting Device for Catheter Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current surgical instruments lack an effective method to deploy a constricting device around vessels without occluding them, particularly during procedures like cholangiograms, where retaining a catheter is necessary without obstructing blood flow.

Innovation Solution

A surgical constricting device with an elongated body, central stainless steel core, and an outer sheath made from materials like polyurethane or silicone, designed to be wrapped around a vessel and secured using a surgical instrument, allowing for adjustable constriction by rotating the device multiple times to maintain its position without unwinding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surgical constricting device is deployed to retain a catheter in a vessel, then the catheter is secured without occluding the vessel, but the device requires a complex structure with central core and outer sheath to achieve this

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter retentionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The constricting device is divided into a central core and an outer sheath, where the central core provides the constricting function and the outer sheath provides engagement surfaces. This segmentation allows the device to achieve both catheter retention and controlled constriction without requiring a single complex component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The central core is nested within the outer sheath, with the outer sheath surrounding the central core. This nested structure allows the device to maintain a compact form while providing multiple functional surfaces for both constriction and surgical instrument engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the elongated body is made flexible to wrap around vessels, then the device can conform to various vessel sizes, but the device may unwind or lose its position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel size adaptationVSAvoiddevice position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-configured with an elongated body that can be wrapped around the vessel in a controlled manner during deployment. The central core and outer sheath structure is designed beforehand to maintain its wrapped configuration once deployed, preventing unwinding while allowing adaptation to different vessel sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines different materials with complementary properties: the central core is made from a first material providing structural integrity, while the outer sheath is made from a second material providing flexibility and engagement capability. This composite structure enables both adaptability to vessel sizes and stability of the wrapped position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If the device applies sufficient constriction to secure the catheter, then the catheter is firmly retained, but pressure on the vessel increases which may occlude blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecatheter securationVSAvoidvessel occlusion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The constriction force is applied locally at specific points where the central core contacts the catheter, rather than distributing pressure along the entire vessel length. This localized application secures the catheter firmly while minimizing pressure on the vessel wall and preventing blood flow occlusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The outer sheath acts as an intermediary between the central core and the vessel, distributing and moderating the constriction force. This intermediary structure allows the device to achieve firm catheter retention while reducing the harmful pressure effects on the vessel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240115282A1Surgical constricting devices and surgical methods utilizing same

Publication Date: 2024.04.11 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

A surgical constricting device includes an elongated body, a first grasping pad, and a second grasping pad. The elongated body includes a central core and an outer sheath surrounding the central core. The central core is made from a first material, and the outer sheath is made from a second material. The elongated body is configured to maintain its position when wrapped around itself. The first grasping pad is disposed at a first end of the elongated body and is configured to be engaged by a surgical instrument. The second grasping pad is disposed at a second end of the elongated body and is configured to be engaged by a surgical instrument.