Implantable Lead Anchor Assembly With Collapsible Tube Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current anchor structures for implantable medical device leads are prone to movement after insertion, leading to potential dislodgment and the need for reprogramming or replacement, as they often require excessive force to secure the anchor to the lead, which can cause axial movement within the anchor.
Innovation Solution
An anchor assembly with a collapsible tube and holder that transitions between unlocked and locked positions, allowing the medical device lead to be slidably adjustable in the unlocked state and fixedly coupled in the locked state, using tools to facilitate secure attachment to the anchor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional anchor structures are used to secure leads, then the anchor can be attached to the lead, but excessive force is required which causes axial movement within the anchor and leads to instability
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is divided into separate components: a body portion and a collar portion that can slide independently. The collar portion can slide along the lead to engage with the body portion, distributing the attachment force across multiple contact points rather than requiring excessive force at a single point, thereby preventing axial movement and maintaining anchor stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar portion is designed to be slidable relative to the lead, allowing dynamic adjustment during implantation. This dynamic feature enables the collar to engage with the body portion at the optimal position, ensuring stable attachment without excessive force that would cause axial movement.
2Reliability
If the anchor is secured firmly to the lead, then the lead position is maintained, but the anchor requires excessive force to secure which causes movement
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the anchor into body and collar portions, the design achieves reliable lead position maintenance through distributed contact forces. The collar portion engages with the body portion to secure the lead, maintaining position without requiring excessive force that would cause anchor movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar portion acts as an intermediary element between the lead and the body portion. It mediates the attachment process by providing a sliding interface that engages with the body portion, ensuring stable lead fixation while preventing excessive forces from causing anchor movement.
3Ease of operation
If the anchor structure is simplified, then ease of implantation is improved, but the ability to maintain lead position decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with separate body and collar portions maintains implantation simplicity while ensuring reliable lead position maintenance. The collar portion can be easily slid along the lead during implantation, then engaged with the body portion to secure the lead position, combining ease of operation with reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic sliding capability of the collar portion during implantation simplifies the procedure, allowing easy positioning and engagement. Once engaged, the same dynamic feature locks the collar in place to maintain lead position reliably, achieving both ease of operation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
An anchor assembly is provided. The anchor assembly includes a holder defining a passageway therethrough, and a collapsible tube positioned partially within the passageway, the collapsible tube slidable relative to the holder to transition the anchor assembly between i) an unlocked position in which a medical device lead extending through the anchor assembly is slidable relative to the anchor assembly and ii) a locked position in which the medical device lead is fixedly coupled to the anchor assembly.