Unitary Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoscopic vessel harvesting systems are cumbersome and difficult to use, requiring multiple tools that can increase the risk of injury to the bypass conduit and prolong the procedure duration.
Innovation Solution
A unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting device with an elongated body and a conical tip, featuring a cutting unit with moveable and rotatable cutting portions to seal and cut blood vessels, reducing the need for multiple tools and simplifying the procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple tools are used for endoscopic vessel harvesting, then the harvesting function can be performed, but the device complexity increases and the procedure duration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple vessel harvesting functions (dissection, sealing, cutting) into a single integrated endoscopic device. The device includes a conical dissection tip for separating the main vessel from surrounding tissue, and a cutting unit with sealing and cutting portions that can be advanced to seal and cut branch vessels, eliminating the need for multiple separate tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscopic device is designed as a multi-functional tool that can perform various vessel harvesting operations through its different components. The same device can dissect the main vessel, seal branch vessels, and cut vessels, making it a universal tool for complete vessel harvesting procedures.
2Reliability
If multiple tools are used for endoscopic vessel harvesting, then the harvesting function can be performed, but the potential for injury to the bypass conduit increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all vessel harvesting functions into a single device with a unified tip structure, the patent reduces the number of times the vessel needs to be manipulated and exposed to different tools. The conical dissection tip and cutting unit work together in a coordinated manner, reducing the risk of injury compared to multiple separate tools.
3Ease of operation
If a unitary device is used for endoscopic vessel harvesting, then the procedure is simplified and vessel manipulation is reduced, but the device must perform multiple functions
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a conical dissection tip for separating the main vessel from surrounding tissue, and a cutting unit with sealing and cutting portions for handling branch vessels. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall device simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Unitary endoscopic vessel harvesting devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, such devices may comprise an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end. A conical tip may be disposed at the distal end of the elongated body. In addition, the surgical instrument may include one or more surgical instruments moveable in a longitudinal direction along an axis substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the cannula from a retracted position proximally of a distal end of the tip to an advanced position toward the distal end of the tip to seal and cut a blood vessel.