CIED Lead Engagement Device with Cantilevered Fingers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lead engagement devices for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) leads often result in lead distortion or breakage during removal due to localized attachment and traction application, which can be ineffective and risky.

Innovation Solution

A lead engagement device featuring a hypotube with apertures and cantilevered lead engagement fingers that allow relative motion during insertion and inhibit motion during traction, providing a larger engagement area and reducing the risk of distortion or breakage by distributing force more evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If lead engagement devices attach to the CIED lead in a localized area, then the device structure is simple, but the CIED lead becomes distorted and/or breaking when traction is applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlead integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement device divides the engagement area into multiple discrete fingers distributed along the lead lumen. Each finger independently engages the lead at different locations, transforming a single localized engagement point into multiple distributed engagement points, thereby preventing lead distortion and breakage during traction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement fingers extend radially outward from the hypotube wall in the radial dimension, creating engagement points distributed both longitudinally and radially. This multi-dimensional distribution of engagement points increases the effective engagement area and distributes traction forces more evenly across the lead structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the lead engagement device uses a larger engagement area, then the risk of lead distortion or breakage is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelead safetyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple engagement fingers are integrated into a single monolithic hypotube structure, combining multiple engagement functions into one unified device component. This merging approach provides a large engagement area through multiple fingers while avoiding the complexity of assembling multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hypotube structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, defines the engagement geometry through integrated fingers, and distributes traction forces. This multi-functionality achieves reliable lead engagement without requiring additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively facilitates the removal of CIED leads by distributing traction forces over a larger area, reducing the risk of lead distortion or breakage and enabling safer extraction.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of lead engagement fingers are configured to permit relative motion between the lead engagement device and the lead when applying a first force to the lead engagement device. The plurality of lead engagement fingers are also configured to engage the lead and inhibit relative motion between the lead engagement device and the lead when applying a second force to the lead engagement device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3962580B1Lead engagement device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A lead engagement device is configured to be positioned in a lead lumen of a lead. The lead engagement device includes a hypotube, and the hypotube includes a wall having an inner surface defining an inner lumen and an outer surface opposite the inner surface. A plurality of lead engagement fingers are coupled to the wall and extend outwardly and proximally from the outer surface. Each of the fingers is disposed adjacent to one of a plurality of apertures that extend through the wall. The fingers are configured to permit relative motion between the lead engagement device and the lead when applying a first force to the lead engagement device. The fingers are also configured to engage the lead and inhibit relative motion between the lead engagement device and the lead when applying an opposite second force to the lead engagement device.