Vascular Clamp Pulley Assembly for Minimally Invasive Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for surgical clamps that provide reliable and strong clamping force, are compatible with less invasive cardiac surgical procedures, and can be easily operated through small access sites, while minimizing reduction in surgical access area, and are easily releasable and removable.
Innovation Solution
A vascular clamp assembly with a first and second arm assembly that can pivot between open and closed configurations, featuring pulleys and engagement members for secure clamping and release, designed for use with delivery devices to facilitate minimally invasive surgeries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional aortic cross clamp is used to provide strong clamping force, then reliable vessel occlusion is achieved, but the device size and complexity increase making it incompatible with minimally invasive procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two separate arms (first clamp arm and second clamp arm) that can be independently positioned and engaged. Each arm can be controlled separately, allowing the device to be introduced through small incisions while maintaining effective clamping force when closed around the aorta
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp arms and associated components are designed to nest within each other or within the delivery device when in the open configuration. This allows the relatively large clamping mechanism to be packaged in a compact form for minimally invasive introduction, then deployed to provide full clamping function
2Reliability
If a large clamping device is introduced to ensure secure clamping, then clamping reliability is improved, but the surgical access area required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a compact dynamic configuration during introduction to a closed clamping configuration during use. The arms can pivot and converge to encircle the aorta, providing secure clamping without requiring a large access site throughout the entire procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp arms approach the aorta from different spatial dimensions and converge to encircle it. This three-dimensional clamping approach allows effective occlusion through a small access site, as the arms can be introduced separately and brought together around the vessel
3Force
If a complex clamping mechanism is used to provide strong clamping force, then clamping effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation through small access sites deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A delivery device acts as an intermediary to introduce and position the clamp arms. The delivery device simplifies the operation by providing a guided pathway and control mechanism, allowing the surgeon to manipulate the complex clamping structure through a small access site without direct manual manipulation of all components
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp mechanism includes self-aligning and self-locking features that reduce the need for complex manual manipulation. Once the arms are positioned around the aorta, the engagement mechanism automatically secures the clamping force, reducing the operational complexity for the surgeon
4Area of moving object
If a minimally invasive clamp design is used to reduce access site requirements, then surgical access area is reduced, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the clamp into separate controllable arms, each component can be relatively simple in structure while the overall system achieves minimally invasive capabilities. The segmentation allows each arm to be introduced and positioned independently through small access sites
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device serves multiple functions: it protects the clamp arms during introduction, guides them to the target site, facilitates positioning around the aorta, and enables controlled release. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into a single integrated system
Data Source
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Figure 7~8B
AI summary
A vascular clamp assembly includes a first arm assembly that is pivotably coupled to a second arm assembly. The first arm assembly includes a first pulley disposed in a first recess, and the second arm assembly includes a second pulley disposed in a second recess. A coupling member extends from a portion of the first arm assembly, the coupling member including a cylindrical portion having a first channel and a second channel extending along a portion of the cylindrical portion, and each of the first and second channels is configured to receive a portion of an engagement rod of a delivery device to secure the coupling member within a securement portion of the delivery device in one of at least two possible orientations. A portion of suture contacts each of the first and second pulley to displace the vascular clamp assembly from an opened position to a closed position.