Arthroscopic Implant Delivery Shaft With Detachable Frame Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current procedures for repairing partial thickness tears in the supraspinatus tendon of the shoulder, such as those caused by rotator cuff injuries, do not adequately repair or strengthen the tendon, leading to potential further damage or injury.
Innovation Solution
A tendon repair implant delivery system with a detachable frame and attachment arms is used to deliver and position a medical implant arthroscopically, allowing the implant to be affixed to the target site and detached from the delivery shaft in vivo.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a detachable frame delivery system is used to deliver the implant arthroscopically, then the ease of operation and precision of implant positioning are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery system is divided into separate functional components: a delivery shaft for insertion, a detachable frame for implant support, and attachment arms for securing the implant. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while enabling arthroscopic delivery through small incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame and attachment arms are designed to nest within or around the delivery shaft during the delivery process. The implant is positioned on the frame, which itself is contained within the delivery shaft, allowing the entire assembly to be delivered through a minimally invasive arthroscopic approach before deployment at the target site.
2Reliability
If the frame is designed to detach from the delivery shaft in vivo, then the reliability of implant placement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is pre-configured with attachment arms and coupling mechanisms that are designed to engage with the delivery shaft before implantation. This preliminary configuration ensures that the implant is securely held in the correct position during delivery, and the detachment mechanism is pre-positioned to enable reliable release at the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the delivery shaft and the frame. This intermediate component facilitates the controlled detachment process, allowing the frame to be reliably released from the delivery shaft in vivo while maintaining secure holding of the implant throughout the delivery process.
3Strength
If attachment arms are used to secure the implant to the frame, then the strength of implant fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment arms are integrated with the frame structure, combining the functions of structural support and implant fixation into a single unified component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining the strength of fixation, as the attachment arms are structurally continuous with the frame body.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment arms are designed with localized features at specific positions on the frame, such as curved surfaces or engagement points, that provide enhanced fixation strength only where needed. This local quality approach concentrates the structural reinforcement at critical attachment points rather than requiring the entire frame to be uniformly complex.
Data Source
AI summary
An example medical device is disclosed. The medical device includes an implant delivery system having a delivery shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion and a detachable frame coupled to the distal portion of the delivery shaft. The detachable frame includes a body portion and a plurality of attachment arms extending away from the body portion. The plurality of attachment arms are configured to be attached to an implant and the detachable frame is configured to detach from the delivery shaft in vivo.