Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Anchors for Secure Recapture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for occluding the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation are inadequate in preventing thrombi formation and migration, leading to stroke or heart attack risks.
Innovation Solution
An occlusive implant system with an expandable framework and anchor members, including branches with varying tip configurations, is designed to securely anchor within the left atrial appendage, allowing for secure deployment and recapture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing medical devices are used to occlude the left atrial appendage, then the procedure can be performed with simpler devices, but the devices are inadequate in preventing thrombi formation and migration
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusive implant is divided into multiple anchor members, each with multiple branches that can independently engage with the tissue. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific function (anchoring, occluding) while collectively providing reliable thrombi prevention without requiring an overly complex monolithic structure
Solution Approach 2:
The expandable framework and anchor members are designed to be nested within a delivery sheath in a compressed state, then expanded to their functional configuration. This nesting principle allows the complex multi-branch anchor structure to be delivered through a catheter while maintaining its complexity for effective thrombi prevention
2Strength
If anchor members with multiple branches are used to securely anchor the implant, then the anchoring reliability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Different branches of the anchor members have different tip configurations (rounded vs. sharpened) tailored to their specific engagement requirements. Sharpened tips provide penetrating strength for initial anchoring, while rounded tips provide safe recapture interfaces. This local differentiation of branch properties optimizes anchoring strength without requiring all branches to be structurally complex
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor members feature asymmetric branch designs where branches extend in different directions and have different tip geometries. This asymmetry allows optimal engagement with the irregular tissue geometry of the left atrial appendage, providing superior anchoring strength compared to symmetric designs while maintaining manufacturability
3Reliability
If the expandable framework is designed with multiple anchor members and branches, then the occlusion effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple anchor members with their respective branches are integrated into a single expandable framework structure that can be manufactured as one piece using techniques like laser cutting or forming from a tube. This merging of multiple functional components into a unified structure maintains occlusion effectiveness while simplifying manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate parts
Solution Approach 2:
The framework is designed to transition from a compressed deliverable state to an expanded functional state. This dynamic design allows the complex multi-branch structure to be manufactured in a simplified compressed configuration and then deployed to the complex expanded configuration needed for effective occlusion, separating the manufacturing simplicity from the functional complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
An occlusive implant may include an expandable framework configured to shift between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the expandable framework including a proximal end and a distal end. The expandable framework includes a plurality of anchor members extending radially outward from the expandable framework in the expanded configuration, each anchor member including a root portion fixedly attached to the expandable framework and extending distally to a trunk portion in the expanded configuration. At least a portion of the trunk portion extends radially outward relative to the root portion in the expanded configuration. At least one of the plurality of anchor members includes a plurality of branches extending radially outward from the trunk portion in the expanded configuration.