Anchor Tip Designs for Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical devices for occluding the left atrial appendage face challenges in safely and effectively preventing thrombi formation, as they may risk overpenetration and perforation of the tissue, which can lead to complications such as pericardial effusion, and there is a need for alternative designs and methods to improve patient safety and effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A medical implant with an expandable framework that shifts between collapsed and expanded configurations, featuring interconnected struts and anchor members with a central penetrating element and non-penetrating tissue support elements, designed to engage the tissue without complete penetration, thereby preventing overpenetration and enhancing anchoring within the left atrial appendage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the anchor member uses a penetrating element to engage tissue, then anchoring effectiveness is improved, but the risk of overpenetration and tissue perforation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring effectivenessVSAvoidtissue perforation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor tip portion is segmented into distinct functional elements: a central penetrating element for initial tissue engagement and at least one tissue support element that provides additional anchoring. This segmentation allows the penetrating element to perform its function without requiring excessive penetration depth, as the support elements provide supplementary anchoring force closer to the tissue surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue support element acts as an intermediary between the penetrating element and the tissue. It extends outward from the penetrating element and engages the tissue to provide additional anchoring force, thereby reducing the need for deep penetration and minimizing the risk of perforation while maintaining effective anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the anchor member penetrates deeply into tissue for secure anchoring, then anchoring stability is improved, but the risk of pericardial effusion and other complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidpericardial effusion risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor tip portion is segmented into distinct functional elements: a central penetrating element for initial tissue engagement and at least one tissue support element that provides additional anchoring. This segmentation allows the penetrating element to perform its function without requiring excessive penetration depth, as the support elements provide supplementary anchoring force closer to the tissue surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of relying on complete penetration for anchoring stability, the design uses partial penetration with the addition of tissue support elements that engage the tissue surface. This partial action approach achieves sufficient anchoring stability without the excessive penetration that would increase the risk of pericardial effusion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Force

If the anchor member design includes only penetrating elements, then anchoring force is improved, but the risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring forceVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor tip portion is segmented into distinct functional elements: a central penetrating element for initial tissue engagement and at least one tissue support element that provides additional anchoring. This segmentation allows the penetrating element to perform its function without requiring excessive penetration depth, as the support elements provide supplementary anchoring force closer to the tissue surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tissue support element acts as an intermediary between the penetrating element and the tissue. It extends outward from the penetrating element and engages the tissue to provide additional anchoring force, thereby reducing the need for deep penetration and minimizing the risk of perforation while maintaining effective anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240081830A1Anchor tip designs for a medical implant for occluding a left atrial appendage

Publication Date: 2024.03.14 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

A medical implant for occluding a left atrial appendage may include an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expandable framework may include a plurality of interconnected struts and a plurality of anchor members extending radially outward from the plurality of interconnected struts in the expanded configuration. Each anchor member of the plurality of anchor members may include a base portion fixedly attached to the plurality of interconnected struts and an anchor tip portion. The anchor tip portion may include a central penetrating element and at least one tissue support element extending outward from the central penetrating element. The at least one tissue support element may be configured to be non-penetrating.