Insertion Tool Cannula Shielding Implantable Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insertion tools for implantable devices in subcutaneous tissue often expose the device during insertion, leading to dislocation, damage, and increased trauma, which can result in reduced device longevity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An improved insertion tool with a tunneling tube and cannula that moves between extended and retracted positions, using a dissector and inserter mechanism to create a subcutaneous pocket while shielding the device, and an actuator to deploy it into the pocket without exposing it to skin tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the device is exposed at the distal end of the insertion tool during insertion, then the device can be forced through the tunnel and positioned into the pocket, but the device may be dislocated from the insertion tool, damaged, or cause trauma to the subcutaneous pocket
Solution Approach 1:
The device is nested within the insertion tool, specifically held within the cannula that is inserted into the tunneling tube. The cannula acts as a protective sheath that contains the device during insertion, preventing dislocation and damage while maintaining the ability to force the assembly through the tunnel and position it into the pocket.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula serves as an intermediary component between the device and the external environment. It provides a protective interface that shields the device from direct contact with skin tissue and the tunnel walls, thereby preventing trauma while still allowing the device to be pushed through and positioned correctly.
2Productivity
If the device is exposed at the distal end of the insertion tool, then the device can be pushed through the tunnel, but trauma to the subcutaneous pocket increases resulting in more bleeding and signal distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The cannula acts as a mediator between the insertion tool and the subcutaneous tissue. It provides a smooth, controlled interface that minimizes mechanical trauma to the pocket walls during device deployment, reducing bleeding and preventing signal distortion while maintaining efficient insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula functions as a flexible protective shell that conforms to the tunnel and pocket geometry. This flexible sheath protects the device and minimizes disruption to the subcutaneous tissue during insertion, thereby reducing trauma and associated complications.
3Ease of operation
If the device is exposed during insertion, then the device can be forced through the tunnel, but the longevity and accuracy of the implanted device are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The device remains nested within the protective cannula throughout the insertion process, preventing mechanical damage that could compromise its longevity. The nested configuration ensures the device is properly positioned and protected from factors that could reduce its operational life or accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The cannula serves as a protective intermediary that shields the device from mechanical stress, tissue trauma, and potential contamination during insertion. This protection preserves the device's integrity and ensures optimal performance and longevity after implantation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~2F
AI summary
An insertion tool for creating a subcutaneous pocket and implanting a device in the pocket. The tool may include a cannula extending from a handle, a dissector tip disposed at a distal end of the cannula, and a rod. The cannula and dissector tip may create the pocket. The cannula may include a passage and an opening into the passage, and the cannula may be disposed in the passage and move along the passage between a retracted position and an extended position. The rod and the cannula may be configured such that, when the rod is at the retracted position, the cannula holds the device in the passage, and as the cannula moves from the extended position to the retracted position, the rod forces the device through the opening at the distal end of the cannula, at least partially out of the cannula, and at least partially into the pocket.