Bone Anchor Delivery System with Angled Prongs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue anchors lack sufficient pull-out resistance and stability while minimizing tissue penetration, particularly in delicate areas like the spine, and do not effectively maximize contact with tissue surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A tissue anchor delivery system featuring a hollow elongate guide body with a curved passage and a push rod to laterally drive the anchor, which includes angled prongs or keel portions for enhanced stability and contact, and can be used with or without a prosthetic device, potentially coated with biologically active agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tissue anchors are used, then they can be implanted into tissue, but they lack sufficient pull-out resistance and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into multiple prongs (typically three) that can independently engage with the tissue. Each prong acts as a separate anchoring element, collectively providing superior pull-out resistance compared to a single monolithic anchor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The prongs are configured with asymmetric geometry, including angled surfaces and varying lengths, allowing them to engage tissue more effectively in specific directions. This asymmetric design enhances pull-out resistance by creating mechanical interlocking that is stronger in the intended loading direction.
2Reliability
If tissue penetration is increased to improve anchor stability, then stability improves, but tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor engages tissue not only through depth penetration but also through lateral spreading of the prongs. By utilizing both vertical insertion and horizontal engagement dimensions, the anchor achieves stability without requiring excessive penetration depth, thereby reducing tissue damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The prong tips are specifically designed with localized features such as sharp edges or expanded surfaces at the distal ends, concentrating the anchoring function at these specific locations. This allows the majority of the anchor body to remain minimally invasive while the localized prong tips provide the necessary engagement with tissue.
3Reliability
If anchor contact with tissue surface is maximized, then pull-out resistance improves, but delivery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is nested within a delivery catheter or sheath during delivery. The delivery system provides a confined space that guides and protects the anchor until it reaches the target site, whereupon the anchor is deployed from the delivery device. This nesting approach simplifies the delivery mechanism compared to more complex active deployment systems.
4Ease of operation
If lateral delivery of anchor is implemented, then access to delicate areas improves, but delivery precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter is designed with universal features that allow it to navigate various anatomical pathways and deliver the anchor at different angles. The catheter may include flexible sections, adjustable tip orientations, or multiple delivery windows, enabling it to adapt to different delivery scenarios while maintaining precision through standardized anchor-catheter interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention relate generally to tissue anchors and methods of delivering same to the intervertebral disc or other sites within the body. In some embodiments, the anchors provide pull-out resistance, stability and/or maximize contact with tissue involving a minimum amount of penetration. In some embodiments, delivery methods are minimally invasive and include linear, lateral, and off-angle implantation or driving of anchors along, against or within tissue surfaces.