Tissue Grasper and Shaper for GERD Fold Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs due to the deterioration of the gastroesophageal flap valve, leading to stomach contents splashing into the esophageal tract, which is associated with a shortened esophageal tract and an enlarged stomach, necessitating a solution to recreate a functional gastroesophageal junction.
Innovation Solution
A device with tissue displacing elements and a tissue shaper is used to reshape stomach tissue, forming a fold at the esophageal-stomach junction, and apply fasteners to recreate a functional gastroesophageal flap valve, utilizing a common retractor for simultaneous displacement and a fastener applier for secure fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If tissue displacing elements are used to reshape stomach tissue, then the esophageal tract length is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses multiple tissue displacing elements (at least two) that can be independently actuated to manipulate different portions of stomach tissue. Each element can be controlled separately to achieve complex tissue reshaping and fold formation, thereby increasing esophageal tract length while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular operation
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue displacing elements are disposed within the tissue shaper cavity, with elements nested inside the shaper structure. This nested arrangement allows the displacing elements to be housed compactly within the shaper, reducing overall device complexity while still enabling effective tissue manipulation to lengthen the esophageal tract
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple tissue displacing elements are independently movable, then tissue manipulation precision is improved, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple tissue displacing elements are combined within a single tissue shaper structure, allowing them to work together to form a unified tissue fold. This merging approach enables precise control over tissue positioning while simplifying operation, as the elements cooperate within the confined shaper space rather than requiring separate manual coordination of multiple independent devices
3Productivity
If a common retractor is used to displace tissue elements simultaneously, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common retractor serves multiple functions: it simultaneously displaces multiple tissue displacing elements, provides structural support for the tissue shaper, and enables coordinated tissue manipulation. This multi-functionality increases productivity by allowing simultaneous tissue element displacement while avoiding additional device complexity through the use of a single versatile component
Data Source
AI summary
Stomach tissue is manipulated and fastened with a tissue grasper and a tissue shaper to form folds in the stomach. The tissue grasper and the tissue shaper rotate and translate relative to one another. The tissue grasper has a plurality of vacuum orifices to adhere the tissue grasper to tissue.