Bone Anchor Driveline Stabilization for VADs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ventricular assist devices (VADs) face issues with driveline instability, leading to skin tearing and increased infection risk due to external forces, which can result in driveline displacement and potential damage to surrounding tissues or organs.

Innovation Solution

A bone anchor system that secures the driveline to a patient's bone, using a driveline capture portion and a bone capture portion to stabilize the driveline, thereby transferring applied forces to the bone rather than the skin, reducing the risk of tearing and infection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the driveline is allowed to move freely, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and reliability deteriorate due to displacement and tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline flexibilityVSAvoiddriveline stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary fixation mechanism (adhesive layer, barrier layer, or anchor system) between the driveline and surrounding tissues. This intermediary structure allows the driveline to be secured in place while maintaining controlled movement capability, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and positional stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the driveline is firmly anchored to prevent displacement, then reliability is improved, but skin tearing and infection risk increase due to force concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline stabilityVSAvoidskin tearing and infection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the force transmission path by introducing intermediate structures (barrier layers, distributed anchor points, or tissue-spreading components) between the driveline and the skin. This segmentation distributes mechanical forces across multiple points and protects the skin from concentrated stress, preventing tearing while maintaining driveline stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies cushioning elements (barrier layers, protective coatings, or compliant intermediate structures) in advance at the driveline-skin interface. These cushioning elements absorb and distribute mechanical forces before they can concentrate on the skin, preventing tearing and reducing infection risk while maintaining secure driveline anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the driveline is secured to the skin, then stability is improved, but skin tearing occurs due to force concentration on limited tissue

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline positioningVSAvoidskin strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the attachment interface by distributing fixation forces across multiple discrete anchor points or a broad surface area rather than concentrating force on a single skin location. This segmentation allows stable driveline positioning while preventing excessive stress concentration that would exceed skin strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies protective cushioning layers or compliant intermediate structures at the driveline-skin interface before external forces are applied. These cushioning elements distribute mechanical loads and prevent force concentration, allowing secure driveline attachment without exceeding the skin's strength limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the driveline is anchored to bone, then stability is improved, but complexity increases due to additional anchoring components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriveline anchoringVSAvoidbone anchor system

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the driveline anchoring function with existing surgical hardware or anatomical structures (such as combining the anchor with the VAD implantation procedure or utilizing existing bone screws). This merging approach achieves stable bone anchoring while minimizing additional system complexity by integrating multiple functions into unified components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10894114B2Driveline bone anchors and methods of use

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 TC1 LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and devices for securing a driveline to a bone are disclosed herein. The driveline can connect an external controller to an implantable blood pump. The bone anchor can include a driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion can receive the driveline and fix a position of the driveline with respect to the driveline capture portion. The driveline capture portion includes: a driveline receiver that can receive the driveline; and a driveline anchor that can engage the driveline to fix the position of the driveline with respect to the driveline receiver. The bone anchor can include a bone capture portion. The bone capture portion can engage a bone and fix a position of the bone with respect to the bone capture portion.