Vascular Closure Device Lateral Insertion Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vascular closure devices require both hands to operate, making it difficult for medical professionals to maintain pressure on the patient and manage the guidewire during procedures, potentially leading to complications.

Innovation Solution

A tissue puncture closure device with a vessel locator and a sealing plug delivery member, featuring an expandable member, a carrier tube, a sealing plug, and a locking mechanism, allowing for one-handed operation by enabling lateral insertion and deployment of the sealing plug adjacent to the vessel puncture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional closure devices are used, then the sealing plug can be deployed to close the vessel puncture, but both hands are required for operation making it difficult to maintain pressure on the patient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand operation requirementVSAvoidhemostasis maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a delivery sheath for one-handed deployment and a separate pressure application mechanism (such as a compression device or manual pressure device) that can be operated independently. This segmentation allows one hand to deploy the closure device while the other hand maintains pressure on the puncture site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary mechanism is introduced between the operator and the closure device - specifically, a delivery system with lateral access features that allows the closure device to be deployed without requiring direct two-handed manipulation. The lateral access slot or opening acts as an intermediary that simplifies the deployment action to a single-handed operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If both hands are used to operate the closure device, then the sealing plug deployment is achieved, but the guidewire cannot be properly managed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure device operationVSAvoidprocedure management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The procedural tasks are segmented into separate hand responsibilities: one hand manages the closure device deployment through the simplified one-handed mechanism, while the other hand is freed to manage the guidewire and perform other procedural tasks simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery system is designed to be self-aligning or self-guiding through features such as lateral access slots that automatically guide the closure device to the correct position, reducing the need for complex two-handed manipulation and allowing the operator to manage multiple aspects of the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the carrier tube uses traditional axial insertion, then the structure is simple, but lateral insertion through side opening requires complex locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion mechanismVSAvoidvessel locator insertion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting the vessel locator axially from the end of the carrier tube, the design inverts the approach by providing lateral access through a side opening or slot. The locking member then engages to secure the vessel locator in this laterally inserted position, reversing the traditional insertion paradigm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The insertion approach transitions from one-dimensional axial insertion to two-dimensional lateral insertion through a side opening. This dimensional change allows the vessel locator to be inserted through the side wall of the carrier tube rather than from the end, enabling different operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables the operator to advance and withdraw the closure device over the guidewire using one hand, allowing the other hand to maintain pressure and manage the guidewire, thereby simplifying the procedure and reducing complications.

Implementation Method 1

The vessel locator includes an expandable member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpansion:

Data Source

PatentUS9486194B2Vascular closure device with improved side loading

Publication Date: 2016.11.08 ST JUDE MEDICAL PUERTO RICO LLC

AI summary

A tissue puncture closure device includes a vessel locator and a sealing plug delivery member. The vessel locator includes an expandable member. The sealing plug delivery member includes a carrier tube, a sealing plug, and a locking member. The carrier tube includes a distal end and a side opening, the side opening extending proximally from the distal end along at least a portion of a length of the carrier tube to provide lateral insertion of the vessel locator into an interior of the carrier tube. The sealing plug includes a lumen and a slot extending from a distal end to a proximal end of the sealing plug, wherein the slot provides lateral access of the vessel locator into the lumen. The locking member is operable to retain the vessel locator within the sealing plug delivery member.