Curved Movable Needle for Precise Pelvic Implant Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical insertion tools for delivering implants in the pelvic region often cause tissue and nerve damage due to uncontrollable direction and large needle sizes, leading to complications such as inadvertent damage to organs during implantation.

Innovation Solution

A medical device featuring a needle member with a curved portion that slidably moves within a guide, allowing for precise control between a stowed and deployed configuration, reducing tissue trauma by minimizing needle size and ensuring accurate implant placement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a large needle is used for implant delivery, then the implant can be delivered to the desired location, but tissue trauma and organ damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplant delivery accuracyVSAvoidtissue trauma

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The needle is divided into multiple segments that can move relative to each other. The proximal segment remains stationary while the distal segment rotates and extends to reach the target location, allowing accurate implant delivery with a smaller overall needle structure that causes reduced tissue trauma compared to a single large needle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The needle transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic extended configuration during the procedure. The distal segment rotates and extends dynamically to reach the target location, enabling accurate implant delivery while maintaining a compact form that minimizes tissue trauma during insertion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If an uncontrollable insertion tool is used, then the implantation process can be completed, but the tool deviates from the desired direction causing organ damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplantation speedVSAvoiddirection control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rotational mechanism of the distal needle segment provides controlled movement rather than uncontrolled deviation. The guide structure and rotational control system ensure the needle follows the desired trajectory, preventing organ damage while maintaining efficient implantation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The guide structure acts as an intermediary between the operator's control and the needle's movement. It ensures the needle follows the desired trajectory by constraining the distal segment's rotation within safe boundaries, preventing uncontrolled deviation that could cause organ damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an inappropriate curvature insertion tool is used, then implant delivery can be attempted, but accuracy to the desired location decreases causing tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool flexibilityVSAvoidimplant placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The needle incorporates a curved distal segment that can rotate and extend, providing the necessary adaptability to navigate anatomical structures while maintaining precise control over the final implant placement location, thereby achieving both flexibility and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS9271754B2Movable curved needle for delivering implants and methods of delivering implants

Publication Date: 2016.03.01 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

In one general aspect, a medical device can include a base having a guide and a handle. The medical device can also include a needle member that has a curved portion and a handle portion. The curved portion of the needle member can be configured to slidably move within the guide of the base from a first position to a second position different than the first position when the handle portion of the needle member is moved towards the handle of the base.