Vein Dissecting Device for No-Touch Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vein harvesting techniques, such as open vein harvesting, are invasive and prone to complications, while endoscopic vein harvesting results in lower patency rates due to vein damage, and existing methods do not effectively maintain endothelial integrity or conserve vasa vasorum, leading to suboptimal long-term patency rates for vein grafts in vascular bypass procedures.
Innovation Solution
A no-touch vein harvesting technique using a device with an elongated hollow member and a dissecting member that separates the vein from surrounding tissue without direct contact, preserving endothelial integrity and promoting nitric oxide synthase activity, while reducing injury to the vein and conserving vasa vasorum, thereby enhancing long-term patency rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If open vein harvesting is used, then patency rate is improved, but harvesting site complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dissecting member as an intermediary tool that separates the vein from surrounding tissue without direct manual contact. This mediator device allows the vein to be harvested while maintaining surrounding tissue coverage, thus achieving high patency rates without the complications associated with open harvesting techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical dissection process with a controlled dissecting member that can precisely separate tissue planes. This substitution eliminates the need for extensive incisions and manual dissection, reducing harvesting site complications while maintaining vein integrity and patency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If endoscopic vein harvesting is used, then harvesting site complications are reduced, but vein damage increases leading to lower patency rates
Solution Approach 1:
The dissecting member serves as an intermediary that protects the vein from direct contact with surgical instruments. By maintaining the no-touch technique, the device preserves endothelial integrity and prevents vein damage while still enabling effective harvesting with minimal complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The dissecting member creates a protective barrier between the vein and the external environment, similar to a flexible shell. This barrier maintains the vein's natural state with surrounding tissue coverage, preventing mechanical damage and preserving patency rates while minimizing harvesting site complications.
3Productivity
If direct contact harvesting is used, then harvesting efficiency is improved, but endothelial integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dissecting member acts as an intermediary tool that enables efficient tissue separation without direct contact between surgical instruments and the vein. This mediator allows rapid dissection while preserving endothelial cells, achieving both high harvesting efficiency and maintained endothelial integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct manual manipulation with a controlled dissecting member that can efficiently separate tissue planes. This substitution maintains harvesting speed and efficiency while eliminating the mechanical stress and direct contact that would compromise endothelial integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vein harvesting device for harvesting a vein in a living body includes an elongated hollow member possessing a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, and a dissecting member at the distal end portion of the elongated hollow member and configured to dissect tissue in the body surrounding the vein during harvesting of the vein, wherein the dissecting member possessing a proximal end portion communicating with the elongated hollow member. The dissecting member possesses two side portions, with each of the side portions possessing a first end at an end of the side portion farther from the hollow member and a second end at an end of the side portion closer to the hollow member. A projection projects from the first end at each of the side portions of the dissecting member to contact the tissue in the body surrounding the vein during the harvesting of the vein.