Tube-End Plug Collar for Suture-Free Occlusion Implant Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Suturing stoppers to the ends of tubes in medical devices during implantation is a surgeon-specific operation that lengthens surgical time and can lead to complications such as disconnection, complicating the connection between the stopper and tube.
Innovation Solution
An accessory comprising a stopper and a collar with interlocking connection portions, eliminating the need for sutures by using a deformable protrusion and cavity or protrusions and grooves for secure attachment, facilitated by pliers for easy engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sutures are used to attach the stopper to the tube end, then the connection can be made, but the surgical time is lengthened and complications such as disconnection may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The collar acts as an intermediary component between the stopper and the tube. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process, eliminating the need for complex suturing while ensuring reliable attachment. The collar's connection portions engage with both the stopper and the tube end, creating a secure mechanical link that reduces surgical time and minimizes complications.
2Ease of manufacture
If sutures are used to attach the stopper to the tube end, then the connection can be made, but the operation becomes surgeon-specific and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the stopper, the collar, and the tube end. Each component has specific connection portions designed to engage with one another in a standardized manner. This segmentation transforms the connection process from a complex suturing operation into a simple mechanical assembly, improving ease of manufacture and reducing operational complexity.
3Strength
If a secure attachment is required to withstand tensile forces, then strong connection is needed, but suturing increases the risk of disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The connection portions utilize curved or rounded geometries that distribute tensile forces more evenly across the connection interface. The collar's connection portions are designed with smooth transitions and rounded features that prevent stress concentration, thereby maintaining strong attachment while reducing the risk of disconnection compared to linear suture configurations.
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 secure and hermetic connection of the tube end without sutures, reducing surgical time and minimizing complications.
Implementation Method 1
one of the connection portions of the collar or stopper has at least one protrusion and the other connection portion of the collar or stopper has at least one cavity, said at least one protrusion being elastically deformable to allow engagement of said at least one protrusion in said at least one cavity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an accessory for implanting a medical device in a human or animal body, said medical device comprising an occlusion collar (1) adapted to surround and to seal an anatomical duct of said human or animal body, a fluid reservoir (2) and a tube (3) connecting the reservoir to the occlusion collar, said accessory comprising: —a plug (100; 100′) adapted to seal an end of the tube; and —a collar (200) adapted to surround the tube, the plug (100) and the collar (200) having respective connection portions (103, 104; 203, 204) adapted to engage so as to fix the collar (200) and the plug (100) together so as to hermetically seal said end of the tube (3).