Endoscopic Anchoring Device with Shape Memory Alloy Spines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical fastening devices, such as clips and staples, are unable to be reliably secured through a flexible endoscope due to size constraints and lack of flexibility, limiting minimally invasive surgical procedures, and existing staple delivery devices require a 'closed-open-closed' mechanism that can displace staples during use.
Innovation Solution
An endoscopic anchoring system with a tubular body and push rod mechanism that deploys anchors in a substantially closed configuration, utilizing shape memory alloy spines that expand upon reaching body temperature for secure anchoring, allowing for ergonomic operation through a flexible endoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clips or staples are used for surgical fastening, then secure anchoring of tissue is achieved, but extensive incisions or multiple cannulas are required for delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is nested within the delivery device in a collapsed configuration during delivery, similar to a nested doll structure. The anchor legs are contained within the body of the delivery device, allowing the entire anchoring system to be delivered through a single small incision or natural orifice, thereby reducing the complexity of incisions required while maintaining reliable tissue anchoring capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the working channel of an endoscope is used for device delivery, then minimally invasive procedure is achieved, but the device outer diameter must be sufficiently small
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is segmented into collapsible legs that can be folded against the body during delivery, reducing the overall diameter to fit through the endoscope working channel. Once deployed, the legs splay outward to provide full anchoring function, thus enabling minimally invasive delivery while maintaining effective anchoring capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible endoscope is used for internal body access, then natural orifice access is achieved, but the delivery device must have similar flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device incorporates a flexible shaft that can bend and conform to the curvature of internal body lumens, matching the flexibility requirements of the flexible endoscope. This dynamic flexibility allows the device to navigate through natural orifices and body passages while maintaining the capability to deliver and deploy the anchor at the target site
4Length of moving object
If a closed configuration anchor is used during delivery, then device size is reduced for smaller incisions, but the anchor must be opened upon reaching the operative site
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor incorporates a spring mechanism that provides self-opening capability upon deployment. When the anchor is released from the delivery device, the spring force automatically causes the legs to splay outward without requiring additional manual manipulation, thus simplifying the deployment operation while maintaining the size reduction benefit of the closed configuration during delivery
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
Enables secure anchoring of internal tissues with minimal invasive procedures, maintaining a closed configuration during deployment and ensuring anchors remain in place without displacement, facilitating smaller incisions and reduced healing time in laparoscopic surgery.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing shape memory alloy spines that expand upon reaching body temperature for secure anchoring
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscopic fastening assembly having a diameter sufficiently small so that the fastening assembly is slidably insertable into a working channel of a flexible or rigid endoscope for performing a fastening operation, comprises one or more surgical anchors within an elongated tubular member configured for delivery and deployment of said anchors. One or more anchors being disposed in a substantially closed pre-deployment configuration inside the tubular body are configured for being delivered and deployed into a target tissue while remaining in a substantially closed configuration, and assuming its open anchoring properties only once embedded in tissue.