Automated Vascular Closure Device with Laser Suture Trimming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for sealing and closing tissue passages, such as arteriotomy closure after catheterization procedures, require complex manual steps, leading to potential bleeding complications, arterial occlusion, and increased risk of infection due to suture trimming difficulties.
Innovation Solution
An automated vascular closure device with an anchor-plug-cinch mechanism that includes an automatic deployment system for seating the anchor, compressing the plug, and trimming the suture, reducing manual intervention and enhancing safety by allowing deeper suture trimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual suture trimming is performed to close the arteriotomy, then the procedure can be completed, but bleeding complications and infection risks increase due to imprecise trimming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical suture trimming with an automated laser cutting system. The laser precisely trims the suture at the desired depth underneath the skin without requiring manual manipulation, thereby eliminating imprecision and reducing infection risks while maintaining closure reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs self-trimming through automated laser cutting without requiring external manual intervention. The system independently completes the suture trimming process, ensuring consistent precision and reducing the burden on the practitioner while improving overall procedure reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If complex manual steps are used for arteriotomy closure, then the device can be implanted, but the procedure time increases and complications occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device is pre-loaded with all necessary components (anchor, plug, suture) in the correct configuration before implantation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex manual assembly steps during the procedure, reducing both procedure time and the risk of complications while maintaining ease of implantation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual manipulation steps are replaced with automated mechanical systems within the device, such as automated suture tensioning and laser cutting. This substitution streamlines the implantation process, reducing procedure time while maintaining ease of use for the practitioner.
3Ease of operation
If suture is trimmed close to the skin surface manually, then the procedure is simpler, but infection risk increases due to exposed suture ends
Solution Approach 1:
The automated laser cutting system precisely trims the suture to any desired depth underneath the skin surface without requiring manual manipulation. This eliminates the trade-off between ease of operation and infection risk, as the laser can accurately trim the suture deep underneath the skin where it will not expose infection pathways while remaining simple to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser acts as an intermediary between the practitioner and the suture, enabling precise trimming deep underneath the skin without direct manual manipulation. This intermediary mechanism allows the suture to be trimmed at optimal depths for infection prevention while maintaining ease of operation through simple laser activation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods of installing a vascular closure device, the vascular closure device adapted for sealing an opening in biological tissue and comprising an anchor, a compressible plug, a cinch and a suture, the method comprising the steps of providing an insertion sheath, inserting the insertion sheath into the opening in the biological tissue, providing a device sheath having the vascular closure device preloaded therein with a proximal portion of the suture attached to the device sheath, subsequent to the step of inserting the insertion sheath, inserting the device sheath into the insertion sheath, and retracting the insertion sheath and device sheath simultaneously, wherein during the retraction, the insertion sheath and the device sheath are fixed to one another and devices adapted to the methods.