Ingestible Intestinal Attachment Device with Dissolvable Anchor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gastrointestinal attachment devices face challenges in effectively and conveniently attaching to the intestinal wall for extended periods, particularly due to the muscular action of peristalsis and mucous production, and lack suitability for endoscopic deployment and automatic deployment of therapeutic agents and sensors.
Innovation Solution
An intestinal attachment device with an ingestible housing containing a low-profile ribbon and a dissolvable anchor that transitions from a constrained to a non-constrained state, allowing secure attachment to the mucosal surface, along with a fixation device and biodegradable materials for prolonged residence and drug delivery or sensing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical fasteners such as sutures and staples are used for intestinal attachment, then attachment strength is improved, but ease of endoscopic deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fasteners (sutures, staples) with an endoscopic clip device that uses a different mechanical mechanism - a spring-loaded arm with a jaw that clamps onto the intestinal tissue. This substitution enables deployment through endoscopic access while maintaining attachment strength, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and ease of endoscopic deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the attachment system by using a spring-loaded mechanism with adjustable clamping force. The spring constant and jaw geometry are optimized to provide sufficient attachment strength while allowing deployment through the constrained space of endoscopic access, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and deployability
2Ease of operation
If endoclips are used for intestinal attachment, then ease of endoscopic deployment is improved, but attachment duration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials in the construction of the endoscopic clip, combining different materials with complementary properties. The clip structure incorporates materials that provide both initial mechanical attachment strength and prolonged biological integration, enabling the device to remain attached for extended periods while maintaining ease of endoscopic deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic elements to the endoscopic clip design, including spring-loaded arms that can adapt to tissue movement and deformation. This dynamic mechanism allows the clip to maintain secure attachment over time despite peristaltic motion, resolving the contradiction between ease of deployment and attachment duration
3Reliability
If the anchor is deployed to attach to the intestinal wall, then attachment security is improved, but tissue trauma increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the attachment function into multiple components: the endoscopic clip provides external compression, while the anchor provides internal fixation. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to attachment security with minimal trauma, as the distributed loading reduces stress concentration on any single point of tissue contact
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates flexible elements in the anchor design that allow it to conform to the intestinal wall geometry. This flexibility enables secure attachment by distributing contact forces over a larger surface area, thereby maintaining attachment security while minimizing localized tissue trauma
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 device provides a secure, long-term attachment platform for drug delivery and sensing within the intestine, resisting peristaltic movement and mucous production, while minimizing trauma and irritation, enabling extended therapeutic agent release and physiological parameter monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
A dissolvable material can be disposed within the chamber and at least partially surrounding the ribbon
Implementation Method 2
The propellent can be in fluid communication with the moveable anchor such that when activated, the propellant advances the moveable anchor along a channel of the chamber
Implementation Method 3
A biodegradable plug can be disposed within the port and is fabricated from a material that has a degradation time longer than the adherence time of the fixation device
Data Source
AI summary
An intestinal attachment device is provided that includes an ingestible housing with a chamber having disposed therein a low-profile ribbon with a head that serves as a single attachment area for an anchor sized and configured to attach to the mucosal surface of an intestine. A disposable material is also disposed within the chamber and at least partially surrounds the ribbon. An anchor is disposed within the housing and is attached to the head of the low-profile ribbon. The anchor has a constrained and a non-constrained state and is sized and configured to attach to the mucosal surface of the intestine. The anchor is at least partially surrounded by a dissolvable material.