Expandable Tissue Grasper Assembly for Leak-Safe Lumen Apposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in effectively moving and anchoring tissue walls, such as body lumens, to form anastomoses or repair defects, with existing tools and methods being inefficient and potentially risky for leakage.
Innovation Solution
A tissue-manipulating device with expandable grasper arms, controlled by a controller, is used to grasp and hold tissue walls in apposition, optionally with a sharpened element for puncturing, allowing for secure anchoring and minimization of leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing tools and methods are used to move and anchor tissue walls, then the procedure can be completed, but the efficiency is low and the risk of leakage is high
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue grasper assembly is divided into multiple independent grasper arms (first grasper arm, second grasper arm, etc.) that can be controlled independently. Each arm can engage tissue separately, allowing for more precise and secure tissue approximation while maintaining procedural efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasper arms are designed to be movable between a first configuration (retracted within the shaft) and a second configuration (extended outward to engage tissue). This dynamic capability allows the device to adapt to different tissue sizes and shapes while providing secure engagement, improving both reliability and efficiency.
2Productivity
If tissue walls are moved to form anastomosis or repair defects, then the medical procedure is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue grasper assembly can engage and manipulate multiple tissue walls simultaneously using multiple grasper arms, making it a multi-functional tool that can perform various tissue approximation tasks (anastomosis, defect repair, etc.) with a single device, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The grasper arms are nested within the shaft when not in use, with each arm capable of extending outward from the shaft. This nested configuration allows the complex multi-arm structure to be delivered through a relatively simple catheter-like shaft, reducing the apparent device complexity while maintaining high functionality for rapid tissue approximation.
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 quicker and more secure tissue approximation, reducing the risk of leakage and enhancing the efficiency of procedures like anastomosis and defect repair.
Implementation Method 1
one or more resilient grasper arms expandable between a closed configuration extending within and along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and an open configuration outside the shaft
Implementation Method 2
a sharpened element extending distally from a distal end of the tissue grasper assembly and configured for puncturing a body tissue wall
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue-manipulating system including a tissue-manipulating device having shaft and a tissue grasper assembly. The tissue grasper assembly has at least one grasper arm resiliently expandable from a closed configuration, within and extending along the longitudinal axis of a shaft, to an open configuration outside the shaft with the grasper arm expanded in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In the open configuration, the at least one grasper arm may be engaged with tissue wall to manipulate or move the tissue wall, such as to move a distal tissue wall closer to a proximal tissue wall. The tissue grasper assembly may be deployable (such as by being separated from the shaft), such as to remain in place holding two tissue walls in apposition.