Expandable Barbed Tissue Anchors for Variable-Thickness Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for adjusting tissue position within the body, such as those used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and Obstructive Sleep Apnea, are costly, complex, and often require full perforation of tissues, limiting their effectiveness and applicability, especially in tissues with varying thicknesses and angles.
Innovation Solution
Development of implantable tissue anchors that can transition between expanded and compressed configurations, allowing for adjustable deployment within bodily passages without full perforation, using a delivery system with a flexible pusher and sheath to secure the anchors in tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current devices are used to adjust tissue position, then tissue adjustment is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to multiple materials and three-piece intersections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated tissue anchor device. The anchor integrates the anchoring structure, tissue engagement features, and adjustment mechanism into one piece, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and intersections, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining tissue adjustment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue anchor is designed with multi-functional capabilities including anchoring, tissue engagement, and adjustable positioning within a single device structure. This universal design allows the device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate specialized components for each function
2Device complexity
If current devices with fixed length are used, then device structure is simplified, but ability to perforate tissues of varying thickness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue anchor incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adjust its configuration and effective length based on the tissue thickness and anatomical conditions. The device can transition between different states to optimize penetration and anchoring in varying tissue environments without requiring multiple fixed-length device variants
3Strength
If devices requiring full perforation are used, then anchoring strength is improved, but treatment applicability is limited by tissue thickness and delivery angle constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue anchor design allows for changes in key parameters including engagement depth, anchoring configuration, and deployment angle to optimize performance across different tissue thicknesses and delivery conditions. The device can adjust its parameters to achieve effective anchoring without requiring full perforation in all cases
Data Source
AI summary
Example implantable tissue anchors, kits that include an implantable tissue anchor, and associated methods are described. An example implantable tissue anchor is moveable between a first, expanded configuration and a second, compressed configuration. The implantable tissue anchor has a first end, a second end, and a main body. The main body defines a first arm, a second arm, a first plurality of recesses on the first arm, a first plurality of barbs on the first arm, a second plurality of recess on the second arm, and a second plurality of barbs on the second arm. The first arm and the second arm define a first closed loop and a first passageway that extends through the main body when the implantable tissue anchor is in the first, expanded configuration.