Vacuum Catheter Gripping for Beating Heart Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical procedures on moving organs, such as a beating heart, are challenging due to the need for precise and complex operations in a dynamic environment, often requiring invasive open-heart surgery and mechanical stabilization that limits flexibility and increases risk.
Innovation Solution
A negative pressure-based gripping system using a catheter with a remotely operable and flexible distal end, controlled by a vacuum pump, allows for less invasive procedures by gripping and retaining a moving target, such as a heart, in a fixed position, enabling operations on a beating heart without full stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If open-heart surgery with mechanical stabilization is used, then the heart can be held in a fixed position for surgery, but the procedure becomes highly invasive with substantial risks and prolonged convalescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical stabilization systems (mechanical arms, holders, positioners) with a negative pressure-based gripping system. The catheter creates a vacuum field that adheres to the heart surface, providing stabilization through pressure differential rather than mechanical contact. This substitution reduces invasiveness while maintaining positional stability during surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses negative pressure (vacuum) generated by a pump system to create gripping force on the heart surface. The catheter delivers negative pressure to the target area, creating an adhesive effect that stabilizes the heart without requiring open surgical access or mechanical clamps. This pneumatic approach enables less invasive stabilization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the heart is arrested for surgery, then precise operations can be performed on a stationary organ, but the procedure requires heart-lung machine and increases surgical complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables surgical operations on a beating heart by dynamically stabilizing the target area rather than requiring static arrest of the entire organ. The negative pressure gripping system creates a localized stable platform on the moving heart surface, allowing precise operations while the heart continues to beat. This dynamic approach eliminates the need for heart-lung machines and reduces surgical complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If mechanical arms and holders are used to hold a beating heart, then the heart can be stabilized during surgery, but the flexibility and adaptability of the procedure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible catheter with a compliant distal end section that can adapt to the contours of the beating heart. The negative pressure gripping surface conforms to the heart's surface topology, providing stabilization while maintaining procedural flexibility. This flexible approach allows the catheter to be positioned at different locations and adjusted during the procedure, unlike rigid mechanical holders.
4Ease of operation
If invasive procedures are used to access the heart, then direct access to heart tissue is achieved, but blood loss increases and patient risk is elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a catheter as an intermediary device that delivers negative pressure to the heart surface through a minimally invasive access route. Rather than requiring direct surgical exposure of the heart, the catheter mediates the stabilization process from a distance, reducing the need for large incisions and associated blood loss while maintaining ease of operation.
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 system facilitates precise and less invasive surgical procedures on moving targets by maintaining a stable grip on the target relative to the catheter, allowing operations on a beating heart with reduced blood loss and increased flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure is generated in the tubular body to grip the target by the at least one distal opening of the catheter
Implementation Method 2
a negative pressure is generated in the tubular body to grip the target
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to negative pressure-based gripping system for gripping and retaining a target, preferably a moving target, such as a heart of a human or animal, in a fixed position, comprising: a catheter having a tubular body; a proximal end; and a remotely operable and flexible distal end section with a distal opening; a negative pressure generator, such as a vacuum pump, in connection with the tubular body; and a control unit configured to position the distal end of the catheter, wherein said control unit is further configured to control an operation of the negative pressure generator such that a negative pressure is generated in the tubular body to grip the target by the distal opening of the catheter upon positioning of the distal opening adjacent to the target. The disclosure further relates to method for gripping and retaining a target, preferably a moving target, such as a heart of a human or animal, in a fixed position in relation to the device.