Toothless Ligation Assembly With Elastomeric Tension Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ligation and elastration methods require expensive and cumbersome banding tools, and conventional ligation assemblies lack sufficient and consistent tension, leading to issues such as animal irritation and installer discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A novel toothless ligation assembly featuring a locking head, toothless elongated strap body, and an elastomeric coupling member, fabricated from thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers, which ensures constant and sufficient tension without ratchet teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ligation assemblies with ratchet teeth are used, then the assembly can engage the banded object, but the assembly causes animal irritation and installer discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ratchet teeth from the strap body surface, extracting the harmful feature that causes irritation and discomfort while retaining the core ligation function through the elastomeric coupling member that provides friction-based engagement without protruding teeth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameter of the strap body from toothed to smooth/toothless, eliminating the harmful geometric features while maintaining engagement capability through the elastomeric material's friction and elastic properties
2Force
If conventional ligation assemblies are used, then the assembly can be installed, but the assembly lacks sufficient and consistent tension
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric coupling member provides self-tensioning through its elastic properties, automatically maintaining consistent tension on the banded object without requiring external tools or complex installation procedures, thereby improving both tension consistency and installation ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the coupling member to elastomeric material, which provides the necessary elastic properties for self-tensioning and consistent force application while simplifying the installation process
3Object-affected harmful factors
If toothless design is used, then animal irritation is reduced, but the assembly may lack sufficient engagement mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material properties by combining the rigid locking head and strap body with the elastomeric coupling member, where the elastomeric material provides both smooth contact for reduced irritation and sufficient friction-based engagement strength through its elastic deformation characteristics
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
The assembly provides humane and efficient ligation with reduced animal irritation and installer discomfort, allowing for easy installation and effective engagement of banded objects with consistent tension.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric subassembly or coupling positioned generally between the tie-wrap head and the elongated strap to ensure that the tie-wrap assembly engages the banded object with both constant and sufficient tension
Data Source
AI summary
A ligation assembly having a locking head, an elongated strap body, wherein the elongated strap body includes a bottom surface that is free from ratchet teeth, and wherein the elongated strap body is spaced apart from the locking head, and a coupling member, wherein the coupling member is connected to and disposed between the locking head and the elongated strap body, and wherein the coupling member is fabricated from an elastomeric material.