Articulating Patch Deployment Device for Hernia Repair

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for hernia repair during laparoscopic surgery lack the ability to articulate and optimally position surgical patches relative to the tissue, leading to inefficiencies in deployment and attachment, which can result in prolonged recovery times and increased trauma to the patient.

Innovation Solution

An articulating lateral deployment device (ALDD) that allows for bidirectional and reversible deployment of a patch within the abdominal cavity, featuring a central shaft with hinge-like connections and deployment arms that can transform between parallel and perpendicular configurations, enabling controlled and flexible positioning of the patch relative to the hernia defect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical incision through major abdominal muscles is used for hernia repair, then effective corrective surgery is achieved, but patient trauma is intense and recovery time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrective surgery effectivenessVSAvoidpatient trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surgical approach is segmented into multiple small port incisions rather than one large incision, allowing insertion of specialized deployment devices that can deliver patches minimally invasively while maintaining repair effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deployment device acts as an intermediary tool that delivers the patch through small ports to the hernia defect site, enabling minimally invasive placement without requiring direct surgical exposure through large incisions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If laparoscopic surgery with small ports is used, then patient trauma is reduced and recovery is faster, but the ability to articulate and position patches optimally is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient traumaVSAvoidpatch positioning capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment device incorporates articulating joints and movable deployment arms that can dynamically adjust their configuration, allowing the patch to be positioned at various angles and orientations relative to the hernia defect while maintaining minimal invasiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The deployment arms can change their angular parameters and relative positions, transforming between different configurations to achieve optimal patch alignment with the hernia defect from various approaches through the small ports

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Length of moving object

If the patch is attached to a balloon for deployment, then the patch can be delivered through small ports, but the system lacks flexibility to fit the tissue landscape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveport sizeVSAvoidsystem flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment system is segmented into multiple independent deployment arms rather than a single rigid balloon structure, allowing each arm to independently articulate and adapt to the tissue landscape while delivering the patch through small ports

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deployment arms incorporate articulating joints that provide dynamic flexibility, enabling the system to conform to the three-dimensional tissue landscape and hernia defect geometry while maintaining delivery through minimally invasive ports

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2467093B1Articulating patch deployment device
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 COVIDIEN LP
  • EP2467093B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2467093B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~1C
  • EP2467093B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The invention generally relates to devices and methods for repairing an aperture in biological tissue. In certain embodiments, the invention provides devices and methods for deploying an implant to interact with biological tissue during a surgery.