Implantable Socket for Movement Control and Tissue Ingrowth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Improvements are needed in the interactions between implantable device components in vivo and their interactions with the bodily environment, particularly in reducing relative movement, abrading, and enhancing tissue ingrowth and minimizing thrombosis.

Innovation Solution

The use of sockets, such as covers, receptacles, or shrouds, configured to enhance inter-component and inter-environment interactions by minimizing relative movement and promoting tissue ingrowth, which may include materials like ePTFE graft material, elastomer material, or combinations, with features like microstructures, reinforcing rings, and bio-resorbable properties to facilitate secure fixation and reduce thrombosis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If components are flexibly coupled to allow movement, then adaptability to bodily environment is improved, but relative movement and abrasion between components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to bodily environmentVSAvoidrelative movement and abrasion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A socket component serves as an intermediary between the first and second components, providing a controlled interface that allows necessary movement while minimizing uncontrolled relative movement and abrasion. The socket acts as a mediator that manages the interaction between flexible components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The socket is constructed from flexible materials such as ePTFE graft material or elastomer material, allowing it to accommodate movement and deformation while maintaining structural integrity and reducing abrasion between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If socket material is made biocompatible to encourage tissue ingrowth, then compatibility with bodily environment is improved, but control over foreign body response becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with bodily environmentVSAvoidcontrol over foreign body response

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The socket incorporates different materials or surface treatments in different regions to control foreign body response at specific locations. This allows tailored biocompatibility where tissue ingrowth is desired while maintaining control over the overall foreign body response.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The socket uses composite material structures combining different properties (e.g., ePTFE with elastomer) to achieve both biocompatibility and controlled foreign body response, leveraging the advantages of multiple materials in a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If socket structure is simplified for ease of manufacture, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but ability to minimize relative movement and enhance stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidstability and control of inter-component interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is designed as a segmented or modular structure that can be manufactured using simple processes while maintaining the ability to control relative movement between components through its geometric features and material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 sockets effectively minimize relative movement and enhance tissue ingrowth, reducing thrombosis and improving the stability and compatibility of implantable devices within the body.

Implementation Method 1

the socket includes one or more outer exposed surface(s) configured to exhibit one or more tiers of foreign body responses within a range of possible foreign body responses

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForeign body response:

Implementation Method 2

which may include materials like ePTFE graft material, elastomer material, or combinations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectePTFE material properties: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)

Implementation Method 3

elastomer material, or combinations, with features like microstructures, reinforcing rings, and bio-resorbable properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20250312155A1Implantable component with socket

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

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.