Umbilical Cord Clamp With Rotatable Cutting Blade

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting blood from an umbilical cord lack safety and aseptic conditions, with prior cord cutting devices posing risks to operators and not ensuring aseptic environments for blood collection.

Innovation Solution

A cord collection clamp with an umbilical cord retainer assembly and a blood collection assembly that includes a rotatable cutting blade, providing a biological seal and safety features to prevent accidental cutting, while allowing for aseptic blood collection through a closed system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a cord cutting blade is provided in the blood collection device, then cord blood can be collected, but the operator is exposed to risk of accidental cutting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord blood collection capabilityVSAvoidoperator safety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A safety shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the operator and the cutting blade. The shield includes a shielded position that blocks the cutting edge from exposing to the operator, and a shield releaseable position that allows the blade to cut the umbilical cord. This intermediary structure eliminates direct exposure risk while maintaining cutting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the cutting blade is accessible for cord cutting, then cord blood collection can be performed, but accidental cutting of the operator may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecord cutting functionalityVSAvoidaccidental cutting risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cutting blade is designed with dynamic positioning capability, transitioning between a shielded position (safe state) and a shield releaseable position (operational state). The shield can be dynamically adjusted to cover or expose the blade edge based on operational needs, allowing the system to adapt between safety and functionality states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If the blood collection system is open, then blood can be collected, but aseptic conditions cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood collection efficiencyVSAvoidaseptic environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blood collection chamber is nested within a sealed housing structure that forms a closed system. The collection chamber receives blood from the umbilical cord through controlled openings while remaining enclosed, allowing blood collection to proceed without exposing the collection environment to external contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Ease of manufacture

If the device structure is simplified, then production costs are reduced, but safety features may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction costVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The safety shield is constructed as a thin, flexible protective barrier that can be easily formed and integrated into the device housing. This thin-film approach provides effective protection against accidental cutting while minimizing material usage and manufacturing complexity, maintaining cost-effectiveness without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 clamp ensures safer operation, prevents accidental cutting, and collects blood in a substantially aseptic environment, improving ergonomics and reducing production costs compared to prior devices.

Implementation Method 1

a cord cutting blade that is strategically positioned to move from a first position to a second cord cutting position upon rotation of the collection assembly relative to said retainer assembly, thereby cutting the umbilical cord

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

the retainer assembly surrounds the umbilical cord and provides a biological seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiological seal:

Implementation Method 3

collects blood in a substantially aseptic environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAseptic environment:

Data Source

PatentEP3376955B1Cord collection clamp

Publication Date: 2020.07.15 CHILDRENS HOSPITAL & REASEARCH CENTER AT OAKLAND

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Figure 2A
Figure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an apparatus, and methods of using same, for collecting blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment that includes an umbilical cord retaining assembly and a blood collection assembly rotatably connected to the umbilical cord retaining assembly. A cord cutting blade, which is carried by the blood collection assembly, functions to cut the umbilical cord when the blood collection assembly is rotated relative to the umbilical cord retaining assembly. After the umbilical cord is cut, blood flows by force of gravity into the blood collection region of the blood collection assembly to which a blood collection bag can be interconnected.