Transparent Dissector Energy Tool for Pediculated Vessel Harvesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vessel harvesting devices for coronary artery bypass grafting lack visibility of the cutting element during operation, leading to risks of unintended mechanical or thermal damage to the target vessel and surrounding tissues, and are not optimized for pediculated vessel harvest, which is believed to improve long-term bypass graft patency.

Innovation Solution

A surgical instrument featuring a cannula with a dissector and an energy tool that is moveably coupled and visible through a transparent portion, allowing precise control over energy delivery and visibility of the tissue being operated on, along with a retractor to enhance visualization and manipulation of the vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an energy tool is used to separate the vessel from surrounding tissue, then the vessel can be harvested, but the cutting element is not visible leading to risks of unintended mechanical or thermal damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety of vessel harvestingVSAvoidvisibility of cutting element

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

A transparent dissector is introduced as an intermediary component between the energy tool and the observer. This dissector allows visual detection of the cutting element and the tissue being operated on, eliminating the visibility problem while maintaining the energy tool's function for vessel separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dissector is made transparent rather than opaque, fundamentally changing its optical property to allow light transmission. This enables the observer to see through the dissector to the cutting element and tissue, solving the visibility issue without affecting the mechanical or thermal functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If endoscopic vessel harvest is used, then morbidity is reduced and cosmetics are improved, but the quality of harvested conduits may be affected by device selection and harvesting techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemorbidity at harvest siteVSAvoidquality of harvested conduit

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical dissection tools with an energy-based system (electrosurgical or ultrasonic energy). This substitution allows for more precise and controlled tissue separation, reducing mechanical trauma to the vessel and improving conduit quality while maintaining the endoscopic approach's advantages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs controlled energy delivery parameters (such as power levels, pulse duration, and contact time) to optimize the separation process. By carefully adjusting these parameters, the system achieves complete vessel release with minimal thermal or mechanical damage, ensuring high-quality conduit harvest

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If skeletonized vessel harvest is performed, then the vessel can be harvested, but long-term bypass graft patency is reduced compared to pediculated harvest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel harvest efficiencyVSAvoidlong-term bypass graft patency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of removing the vessel completely free from surrounding tissue (skeletonization), the patent inverts the approach by preserving and releasing the vessel with its surrounding pedicle intact. This inversion maintains the natural anatomical relationships and tissue support structures, leading to improved long-term patency while still achieving complete vessel release through controlled energy application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 instrument enables safe and effective pediculated vessel harvesting with reduced risk of thermal injury, improved visibility, and controlled energy application, enhancing the quality of bypass conduits for improved long-term patency.

Implementation Method 1

an energy tool moveably coupled to the cannula, wherein the energy tool is configured to separate a pediculated vessel having at least a segment of the vessel and a pedicle around the segment of the vessel from surrounding tissue

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy delivery:

Data Source

PatentUS12408941B2Vessel harvesting apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2025.09.09 MAQUET CARDIOVASCULAR LLC

AI summary

An apparatus for harvesting a vessel from a body, includes: a cannula having a dissector for advancing along the vessel to create a tunnel, the dissector having a transparent portion; and an energy tool moveably coupled to the cannula, wherein the energy tool is configured to separate a pediculated vessel having at least a segment of the vessel and a pedicle around the segment of the vessel from surrounding tissue, and wherein at least a part of the energy tool is visible through the transparent portion of the dissector during use of the energy tool.