Implantable Socket Structure for Movement and Thrombosis Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices face challenges in managing interactions between multiple components and their environment, including relative movement, abrading, and thrombosis, which affect their efficacy and stability in vivo.
Innovation Solution
The use of a socket structure extending over the components, configured to enhance inter-component interaction by minimizing relative movement and promoting tissue ingrowth, while incorporating materials and coatings to reduce thrombosis and improve biocompatibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If components are flexibly coupled to allow movement, then adaptability to bodily environment is improved, but relative movement between components increases causing abrasion and instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible coupling mechanism that allows controlled movement between components while maintaining their relative positions. The coupling includes elements that can flex and deform to accommodate bodily movement, yet prevent excessive relative displacement that would cause abrasion or instability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If socket material is made biocompatible to encourage tissue ingrowth, then integration with bodily environment is improved, but thrombosis risk increases due to foreign body response
Solution Approach 1:
The socket material exhibits different properties at different locations and time periods. Initially, the material presents a surface that minimizes thrombogenic response. Over time, the material allows controlled tissue ingrowth at specific interfaces while maintaining thromboresistance at blood-contacting surfaces, creating spatially and temporally differentiated functionality.
3Reliability
If socket structure is made rigid to minimize component movement, then inter-component stability is improved, but ability to accommodate bodily movement and deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The socket structure transitions from a static rigid design to a dynamic system that can adapt its mechanical properties. The socket includes elements that can change their stiffness or flexibility in response to applied forces, providing rigidity when needed for stability and flexibility when bodily movement occurs.
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 socket structure effectively reduces component movement, enhances tissue integration, and minimizes thrombosis, thereby improving the stability and functionality of implantable devices within the body.
Implementation Method 1
the socket being configured to enhance the inter-component interaction between the first and second components of the implantable device by reducing relative movement between the first and second components
Implementation Method 2
the one or more outer exposed surfaces is configured to exhibit a foreign body response including extracellular matrix integration
Implementation Method 3
the socket includes one or more layers of material having a microstructure that is oriented to provide longitudinal strength to one or more portions of the socket
Data Source
AI summary
Implantable devices may include a single, first component or a plurality of components such as first and second components, the second component being flexibly coupled to the first component. A socket extends over one or more of the component(s), the socket being configured to enhance the inter-component interaction and/or including one or more exposed surface(s) configured to exhibit one or more tiers of foreign body responses within a range of possible foreign body responses.