Elastic Anchor Deployment for Therapy Delivery Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical anchors are ineffective in gripping therapy delivery elements under patient movement stresses and have cumbersome deployment techniques, leading to potential complications in maintaining precise placement.
Innovation Solution
The development of elastic anchors with a radially stretchable body and a lumen configuration that securely engages therapy delivery elements, combined with a deployment apparatus featuring an anchor receiving element and engagement feature for easy and secure placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing anchors are used to secure therapy delivery elements, then the anchor can be placed about the delivery element, but the anchor becomes ineffective in gripping the element when subjected to stresses from patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is designed with variable radial dimensions - a first radial dimension in a compressed state and a second radial dimension in an expanded state. This parameter change allows the anchor to adapt its gripping force: when compressed during deployment, it can be easily positioned, then expands to provide strong gripping force against patient movement stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that can change its radial dimensions. The body member is configured to be compressible and expandable, allowing it to respond to mechanical stresses from patient movement by adjusting its radial dimension to maintain effective gripping
2Reliability
If existing anchors are used to maintain delivery element position, then the anchor can be sutured to subcutaneous tissue, but the technique for placing and suturing becomes awkward and complex
Solution Approach 1:
An insertion element is introduced as an intermediary tool to facilitate anchor deployment. The insertion element includes a receiving cavity that receives the anchor and a delivery element that can be advanced through tissue. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the deployment process by allowing the anchor to be loaded onto the insertion element and delivered to the target location without complex manual manipulation
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is pre-loaded onto the insertion element in a controlled manner before deployment. The anchor is positioned in the receiving cavity of the insertion element, secured by a retention mechanism, and then the entire assembly is advanced to the target location. This preliminary preparation simplifies the actual deployment operation
3Stability of the object's composition
If the anchor body is made rigid for structural stability, then the anchor maintains its shape, but it cannot expand to grip the therapy delivery element securely
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is designed with variable radial dimensions - a first radial dimension in a compressed state and a second radial dimension in an expanded state. This parameter change allows the anchor to adapt its gripping force: when compressed during deployment, it can be easily positioned, then expands to provide strong gripping force against patient movement stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor body is formed from a elastomeric material that combines structural stability with expandability. This material maintains the anchor's overall shape and structural integrity while allowing radial expansion when force is applied, enabling both shape stability and adaptability
4Ease of operation
If the lumen inner diameter is made large to accommodate delivery element, then the delivery element fits comfortably, but the anchor cannot be compressed for easy deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The lumen's inner diameter is designed to be variable - smaller in the compressed state during deployment and larger in the expanded state during engagement. This allows the lumen to first accommodate the delivery element in a compressed configuration, then expand to provide secure engagement with the therapy delivery element
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 solution enhances therapeutic efficacy by ensuring stable anchoring of therapy delivery elements, reducing complications associated with anchor placement and movement, and simplifying the deployment process.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of the body member has a first inner diameter defined by the lumen in a relaxed state and a second inner diameter defined by the lumen in a radially stretched state. The first inner diameter is smaller than the second inner diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor deployment apparatus for deploying an anchor about a therapy delivery element includes an anchor receiving element having an elongate member having a lumen. The lumen is configured to slidably receive at least a portion of a therapy delivery element. The anchor deployment tool further includes an anchor engagement element having (i) a body forming a channel in which the elongate member of the anchor receiving element is axially movable, and (ii) an engagement feature forming at least a part of the channel. The engagement feature is configured to engage the anchor when the anchor is disposed about the elongate member and the elongate member is moved relative to the engagement element, and to cause the anchor to move distally along the elongate member when the feature is engaged with the anchor and the elongate member is moved relative to the engagement element.