Expandable Barrier Device for Cavity Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for treating cavities in the human body, such as defects in cartilaginous or bone tissue, face challenges in effectively isolating the treatment area and applying therapeutic agents in a minimally invasive manner while allowing for visualization and UV light curing.

Innovation Solution

A device with a collapsible and expandable barrier device, deployable via a delivery tube, that conforms to surrounding tissue, includes barrier-deployment elements and a pushing element to isolate the cavity, allows for UV light application, and includes features like a suction tube and therapeutic agent delivery, enabling effective treatment of various tissue types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a barrier device is deployed to isolate the cavity, then therapeutic agents can be applied effectively, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisolation effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier device is divided into multiple segments or struts that can be deployed independently from the delivery tube. Each segment can be controlled to extend or retract, allowing the barrier to be formed in a controlled manner rather than as a single complex piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier device transitions from a collapsed state during delivery to an expanded state during treatment. The struts are designed to be movable between retracted and extended positions, allowing the device to adapt its configuration dynamically based on treatment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the barrier device conforms to surrounding tissue, then treatment precision improves, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformity to tissueVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier device utilizes a flexible membrane or thin film structure that can conform to the irregular surfaces of surrounding tissue. This flexible barrier is supported by the movable struts, combining the conformability of thin films with the structural support of a framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows for adjustment of geometric parameters such as the angle of the struts relative to the delivery tube axis. By changing these parameters, the barrier can be optimized to conform to different tissue geometries while maintaining ease of deployment through the same delivery mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the barrier device is deliverable in a minimally-invasive manner, then patient trauma is reduced, but the volume of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient traumaVSAvoiddevice volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier device is designed to be nested within the delivery tube in a collapsed configuration during delivery. The multiple struts and barrier membrane are compacted together inside the tube, similar to nested dolls, allowing minimally-invasive delivery through small incisions or natural orifices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a compact collapsed state during delivery to an expanded functional state during treatment. The struts extend outward from the delivery tube to form the barrier structure, increasing the device volume only when needed at the treatment site rather than throughout the entire delivery process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 minimally invasive treatment of cavities by isolating the area, allowing for effective application and curing of therapeutic agents, and facilitating visualization and temperature regulation, thereby improving treatment outcomes for cartilaginous, bone, and periodontal tissue defects.

Implementation Method 1

the barrier device being configured to isolate the cavity from surrounding body fluid that is between the barrier device and the pushing element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical Containment: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

a mechanism that applies ultraviolet (UV) light may be integrated with the device, allowing for curing of applied therapeutic agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS9872705B2Treatment of cavities in a human body

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 REGENTIS BIOMATERIALS

AI summary

Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for treating a cavity in a human body, the apparatus including a delivery tube. A barrier device has a collapsed and an expanded configuration, the barrier device moving from the collapsed to the expanded configuration upon being deployed from the delivery tube. A pushing element, slidably disposed within a lumen of the delivery tube, deploys the barrier device from the delivery tube by pushing the barrier device. One or more barrier-deployment elements are coupled to the barrier device and to the pushing element, the barrier-deployment elements being configured to conformingly contact the barrier device with tissue surrounding the cavity. The barrier device is configured to isolate the cavity from surrounding body fluid that is between the barrier device and the pushing element, following deployment of the barrier device from the delivery tube. Other applications are also described.