Hemostatic Tissue Anchor with Expandable Discs for Cardiac Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tissue anchors for cardiac sites lack effective hemostasis and efficient anchoring mechanisms, particularly in expanding configurations to securely attach to cardiac tissue walls while minimizing strain and ensuring sealing of openings.

Innovation Solution

A hemostatic tissue anchor with an expandable anchor portion and integral discs that can be delivered through a catheter, expanding to securely attach to the cardiac tissue wall, with optional features like therapeutic agents and hydrogel for enhanced sealing and tissue interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the tissue anchor uses a traditional anchoring mechanism without expansion, then the device structure is simpler, but the anchoring security and tissue sealing effectiveness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring securityVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor portion is configured to expand from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded anchored configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the anchor to securely attach to the cardiac tissue wall while maintaining a simple delivery catheter interface. The expansion mechanism provides reliable anchoring without requiring complex permanent structural features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor portion is deliverable in a compressed configuration within the delivery catheter, then expands at the target site. This nesting approach allows the complex expanded structure to be delivered through a simple catheter, resolving the contradiction between anchoring security and device structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the tissue anchor uses larger discs for hemostasis, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the strain on the anchor increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehemostasis effectivenessVSAvoidstrain on anchor
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor includes multiple discs with different properties: larger discs positioned to provide hemostasis and sealing, and smaller anchoring elements positioned to engage tissue without excessive strain. This local differentiation allows effective hemostasis while distributing mechanical loads appropriately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor is segmented into multiple functional components including multiple discs of varying sizes, an expandable anchor portion, and a delivery catheter interface. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function - larger discs for sealing, smaller elements for anchoring - thereby achieving hemostasis without excessive strain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If the tissue anchor uses an expandable configuration, then the anchoring security is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring securityVSAvoidexpandable mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded anchored state through a controlled expansion mechanism. This dynamic approach provides secure anchoring while maintaining relative simplicity in the delivery system, as the complexity is activated only at the target site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3661428B1Tissue anchors with hemostasis features
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 4TECH INC
  • EP3661428B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3661428B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3661428B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hemostatic tissue anchor (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) is provided which is configured to be anchored to a cardiac tissue wall. The hemostatic tissue anchor (120, 220, 320, 420, 520) includes an anchor portion (130) supported by releasably positioned at a distal end of a generally elongate anchor shaft (132). The anchor portion (130) is expandable from a first generally elongate configuration to a second expanded configuration such that in the second expanded configuration it can be drawn tightly against the cardiac tissue wall when a tensile force is applied to the anchor portion (130). One or more discs (126, 226, 326) surround the anchor shaft (132). Once the one or more discs (126, 226, 326) are implanted entirely within the cardiac tissue wall, the one or more discs (126, 226, 326) act as a hemostatic seal of an opening through the cardiac tissue wall, through which opening the elongate anchor shaft (132) is disposed. Other applications are also described.