Anastomosis Device Wire Frame Segmentation for Stricture Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices lack effective solutions for creating anastomoses and sealing tissue defects in the gastrointestinal tract, particularly for large resections where existing tools fail to adequately seal the colon wall without causing lumen stricture.

Innovation Solution

An implantable medical device comprising a wire frame with a covering material, designed for endoscopic deployment, which includes apposition and sealing portions to securely connect tissue layers, thereby facilitating anastomosis and sealing tissue defects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clips or sutures are used to approximate defect edges for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but lumen stricture occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidlumen stricture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the sealing function into separate components: an occluding element that seals the defect and a support element that maintains lumen patency. This segmentation allows the occluding element to approximate tissue edges for sealing without the need for clips or sutures that would cause stricture, while the support element independently prevents lumen narrowing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support element acts as an intermediary structure between the occluding element and the lumen wall. It provides mechanical support to maintain lumen patency while allowing the occluding element to perform its sealing function without directly constraining the lumen, thereby preventing stricture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If open surgery is used for large resections, then adequate sealing can be achieved, but patient morbidity and surgical complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoidsurgical complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex surgical mechanical systems (staplers, sutures, clips) with a deployable endoscopic device that can be delivered through the lumen. The device uses self-expanding mechanical properties of the frame and anchoring elements to achieve sealing without requiring open surgery or complex laparoscopic manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The device combines multiple functions in a single structure: the occluding element seals the defect, the support element maintains lumen patency, and anchoring elements secure the device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate surgical steps involving multiple devices (clips for sealing, sutures for reinforcement, etc.), thereby reducing surgical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If laparoscopic procedures are used, then visualization within the lumen is limited, but surgical invasiveness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelumen visualizationVSAvoidsurgical invasiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The device serves as an intermediary tool that can be delivered endoscopically through the lumen, eliminating the need for laparoscopic visualization. The endoscopic delivery system provides direct lumen visualization while the device performs the sealing function, combining the advantages of both endoscopic and laparoscopic approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3367917B1Anastomosis devices
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 WL GORE & ASSOC INC
  • EP3367917B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3367917B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3367917B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An implantable medical device for sealing and repairing defects in a body tissue or for creating an anastomosis includes a frame and a covering material. In some embodiments, the frame includes a single continuously wound wire that defines an apposition portion, a defect-occupying portion, and a sealing portion. In some embodiments, the tissue-sealing and anastomosis devices provided herein are well-suited for use in the Gl tract including the small bowel and colon. In some embodiments, a two-part frame construct facilitates independent tailoring of apposition forces and radial forces exerted on tissues by the two-part frame.