Asymmetric Sensor Anchor Loops for Lumen Lodging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable wireless sensors face challenges in securely anchoring within varying anatomical structures, leading to potential migration due to mismatched anchor loop sizes and shapes, which affects their retention and positioning within body lumens.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates asymmetric anchoring elements, with varying sizes and orientations at the proximal and distal ends of the sensor body, allowing for secure lodging within different lumen diameters and configurations, and anchoring elements that alter shape to enhance engagement with the lumen walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If symmetric anchor loops of the same size are used at both ends of the sensor, then the assembly and usability are simplified, but the sensor may migrate in anatomical areas with varying lumen sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring the first anchoring element with a first size and the second anchoring element with a second size that is different from the first size. This asymmetric design allows the sensor to securely engage in anatomical areas with varying lumen dimensions, preventing migration while maintaining reliable positioning across diverse anatomical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by making each anchoring element locally adapted to specific anatomical requirements. The first anchoring element is sized for a first lumen dimension while the second anchoring element is sized for a second lumen dimension, allowing each end of the sensor to optimally engage with the local anatomical structure it encounters.
2Reliability
If larger anchor loops are used to ensure secure engagement in larger lumens, then retention in large vessels is improved, but engagement in smaller lumens becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration of anchoring elements with different sizes enables the sensor to adapt to varying lumen dimensions. The larger first anchoring element provides secure engagement in larger lumens, while the smaller second anchoring element ensures proper engagement in smaller lumens, thereby achieving both retention reliability and anatomical adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the size parameter of the anchoring elements to match the dimensional characteristics of different lumens. By configuring the first anchoring element with a first size and the second anchoring element with a second size, the system adapts its physical parameters to the varying anatomical conditions, ensuring optimal engagement across different lumen sizes.
3Reliability
If smaller anchor loops are used to ensure engagement in smaller lumens, then retention in small vessels is improved, but engagement in larger lumens becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric design allows the sensor to have anchoring elements of different sizes, where the second anchoring element with the smaller size provides secure engagement in smaller lumens, while the first anchoring element with the larger size ensures proper engagement in larger lumens, achieving versatility across anatomical variations.
4Reliability
If the sensor is designed to fit a specific lumen size, then secure anchoring in that specific anatomy is achieved, but the sensor cannot be used in anatomical areas with different sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric configuration of anchoring elements with different sizes enables the sensor to maintain anchoring security across diverse anatomical structures. By having the first anchoring element sized for a first lumen and the second anchoring element sized for a second lumen, the sensor achieves both secure anchoring and broad anatomical compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor design achieves universality by incorporating anchoring elements that can adapt to multiple lumen sizes and anatomical configurations. The asymmetric anchoring elements allow the same sensor to function effectively in various anatomical locations, making it a multi-functional device suitable for diverse implantation sites.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach improves the retention and positioning of the sensors within body lumens, reducing migration and ensuring consistent anchoring functionality across diverse anatomical structures.
Implementation Method 1
The distal and proximal anchor loops can utilize nitinol self-expanding loops that expand upon release from the delivery system to secure and/or anchor the sensor in the anatomy.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable wireless sensor that is configured for deploying within a lumen in a body comprises a sensor body and a first anchoring element. The sensor body comprises a proximal end and a distal end. The first anchoring element is coupled to the proximal end of the sensor body and a second anchoring element is coupled to the distal end of the sensor body. At least one of the first and second anchoring elements are configured to lodge the sensor body within the lumen. The first and second anchoring elements are asymmetric by i) size with respect to each other prior to releasably retaining the sensor in a fixed relationship with a delivery system or ii) number of elements.