Adjustable-Depth Implant Anchors With Translating Sleeves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coronary implants face challenges in customizing anchor deployment depth due to variations in heart valve anatomy, leading to potential tissue piercing and reduced procedure effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An implant system with an anchor housing assembly that includes a translational anchor sleeve and collar mechanism, allowing adjustable anchor depth control through independent translation of anchors within the housing, adapting to patient-specific anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-depth anchor deployment mechanism is used, then the implant structure is simple, but the anchor depth cannot be customized to match variable heart valve anatomy
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor housing assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: anchor housing, anchor sleeve, collar, and drive tube. Each component has a specific function in controlling anchor deployment, allowing independent adjustment of anchor depth while maintaining overall system coherence. This segmentation enables customization without requiring complete redesign of the entire implant.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor sleeve is designed to be translatable within the anchor housing, and the collar can be positioned at different locations along the anchor sleeve. This dynamic configuration allows the anchor deployment depth to be adjusted based on patient-specific anatomy, transforming a static fixed-depth mechanism into a customizable dynamic system.
2Strength
If the anchor is deployed to greater depth to ensure secure anchoring, then anchoring strength is improved, but tissue piercing and damage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is positioned at different locations along the anchor sleeve to change the deployment parameter (anchor depth). By adjusting this parameter, the system achieves optimal anchoring strength while preventing excessive penetration that would cause tissue damage. The collar acts as a depth-limited stop mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar position provides visual and mechanical feedback during deployment, allowing the operator to control and monitor anchor penetration depth in real-time. This feedback mechanism ensures that the anchor is deployed to the appropriate depth for secure anchoring without exceeding safe tissue penetration limits.
3Manufacturing precision
If the anchor deployment depth is not precisely controlled, then the implantation process is faster, but surgical outcomes are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is pre-positioned on the anchor sleeve at the desired depth before implantation. This preliminary action establishes the maximum deployment depth in advance, eliminating the need for complex intraoperative depth measurements and adjustments, thereby achieving precise control without significant time loss.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An implant, system, and method of deployment includes a plurality of anchor housings coupled to one of the proximal end or distal end of an implant frame. Each anchor housing may include an anchor sleeve disposed within a bore of the anchor housing, the anchor sleeve having a lumen extending therethrough including features disposed on an internal wall of the lumen for translatably supporting at least one anchor. Each anchor sleeve may be independently translatable within the bore of the anchor housing to control a distal extent of travel of the at least one anchor through the at least one anchor housing.