Braided Soft Tissue Anchor Assembly for Multi-Point Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical fixation devices are primarily made from non-flexible materials, limiting their application in soft tissue fixation, particularly for closing gastroenterological defects and other soft tissue approximations.
Innovation Solution
A flexible braided anchor assembly using a flexible strand with braided anchor segments, enhanced by heat treatment and cyanoacrylate coating, is deployed through a delivery needle to cinch and fixate soft tissues, utilizing a handle assembly with internal tubes for precise deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional non-flexible fixation devices are used, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to soft tissue is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible braided anchor segments made from suture material that can conform to and adapt to soft tissue structures while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength for fixation. The braided construction provides both flexibility for tissue adaptation and structural integrity for secure anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation device combines multiple materials including braided suture segments, flexible strands, and potentially coating materials to create a composite structure that simultaneously achieves flexibility for soft tissue adaptation and sufficient strength for reliable fixation.
2Reliability
If multiple fixation devices are deployed, then tissue fixation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple anchor segments and delivery mechanisms into a single unified device assembly. The braided anchor segments are connected via a flexible strand and can be deployed together through a single delivery needle, reducing the number of separate devices needed while maintaining reliable multi-point tissue fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to perform multiple functions including tissue puncture, anchor deployment, and fixation within a single integrated system. The delivery needle serves both as a puncture instrument and a conduit for deploying the anchor segments, simplifying the overall procedural complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If heat treatment and cyanoacrylate coating are applied, then rigidity of suture segments is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat treatment to modify the physical properties of the braided suture segments, increasing their rigidity and dimensional stability. This thermal processing changes the material parameters to achieve the desired balance between flexibility for deployment and rigidity for structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses cyanoacrylate coating to provide structural reinforcement and surface modification of the suture segments. This chemical coating approach replaces or supplements mechanical reinforcement methods, creating a protective layer that enhances rigidity and potentially provides additional functional properties.
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
The flexible braided anchor assembly effectively fixes soft tissues by forming a purse string effect, providing secure and efficient tissue approximation without the need for reloading, and can be manufactured from materials like nitinol and polyester suture for enhanced rigidity and durability.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the plurality of braided suture segments slidably coupled to the flexible strand may be treated to increase a rigidity of the plurality of braided suture segments slidably coupled to the flexible strand. Such a treatment may include heating each of the plurality of braided suture segments.
Implementation Method 2
Such a treatment may also include applying a cyanoacrylate coating to each of the plurality of braided suture segments.
Implementation Method 3
The cinched plurality of braided anchor segments may have a purse string effect on the plurality of braided anchor segments such that the plurality of flexible braided anchor segments is gathered to provide tissue fixation.
Data Source
AI summary
A single delivery needle configuration accommodates multiple soft tissue fixation devices at once. The configuration eliminates the need to reload a fixation delivery device when multiple fixation devices are required. Further, this configuration can include different variations of fixation devices. In embodiments, these fixation devices are typically manufactured from standard braided polyester suture that is cut into segments with predetermined lengths. This design allows the braided suture segments to be preloaded with a suture threaded through the preloaded braided suture segments with a slip knot placed on the proximal end of a first braided suture segments (e.g., distal fixation device). The tailing suture from the slip knot passes through the second, third, fourth braided suture segments, or any required quantity of braided suture segments that have been preloaded into the delivery device. The suture passes completely through a delivery device.