Non-Circumferential Wrist Compression for Radial Artery Patency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circumferential tissue compression devices apply pressure to the entire wrist, which can lead to undesirable radial artery occlusion and reduced blood flow, making transradial access procedures difficult and prolonged.

Innovation Solution

A non-circumferential tissue compression device that selectively applies pressure to either the ulnar or radial region of the wrist using a base and an expandable member, allowing for targeted compression to facilitate transradial access and reduce occlusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a compression device is inserted through a puncture site in the pericardium, then pericardial effusion can be compressed, but the puncture site creates a risk of infection and requires suturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfection riskVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compression device is nested within a delivery catheter during insertion, allowing the entire device to be introduced through a small puncture site without requiring separate components or complex assembly procedures that would increase infection risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a large-bore catheter is used to insert the compression device, then the device can be delivered, but it causes significant trauma to the patient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice deliveryVSAvoidpatient trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The compression device is divided into multiple compression elements that can be delivered through a smaller catheter, reducing patient trauma while maintaining the therapeutic compression function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compression device is nested within a delivery catheter, allowing introduction through a smaller bore than would be required if the device were delivered independently, thereby reducing patient trauma

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the pericardial space is allowed to refill after drainage, then cardiac compression is relieved, but fluid re-accumulation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecardiac functionVSAvoidfluid re-accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The compression device maintains continuous compression force on the heart even as the pericardial space refills with fluid, preventing fluid re-accumulation from causing harmful compression while allowing normal cardiac motion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the physical parameters of the pericardial space by maintaining controlled compression pressure, allowing the space to refill without creating harmful compression forces on the heart

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Strength

If a Dacron graft is used to reinforce the puncture site, then structural integrity is improved, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuncture site integrityVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The puncture site reinforces itself through the compression device's anchoring mechanism, where the device's expansion or anchoring elements provide structural reinforcement without requiring separate graft materials or additional suturing steps

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3937799B1Tissue compression device
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC
  • EP3937799B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3937799B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3937799B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Application of pressure at an ulnar region or a radial region may be used to facilitate transradial access procedures, reduce occlusion of the radial artery, or both. A non-circumferential tissue compression device includes a base configured to, when on a wrist of a patient, surround at least a portion of the wrist in a non-circumferential configuration, and an expandable member coupled to the base. The non-circumferential configuration is shaped to allow a clinician to fit the tissue compression device onto the wrist, orient the tissue compression device to engage the wrist, and to enable the expandable member to be inflated without becoming disengaged with the wrist. The expandable member is configured to be positioned over, and apply pressure to, an ulnar region, a radial region, or both before, during, and/or after a transradial access procedure.