Magnetic Anastomosis Assembly for Precise Minimally Invasive Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anastomosis procedures are invasive, time-consuming, and require specialized equipment, often leading to complications such as bleeding, infection, and inaccurate placement of magnetic compression devices, limiting their use to small structures and resulting in short-term patency and imprecise anastomosis formation.

Innovation Solution

A system using a single scope for minimally-invasive delivery and deployment of self-assembling magnetic anastomosis devices, comprising a delivery device with a slot and placement member to accurately position a pair of magnetic assemblies between tissues, allowing for larger anastomoses through self-assembly and magnetic attraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional suture or staple methods are used to create bypasses, then anastomosis can be formed, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and requires specialized expertise and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanastomosis formation speedVSAvoidspecialized equipment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical suture or staple systems with a magnetic compression system. Magnets are delivered through a catheter to compress tissue between two apposed surfaces, creating an anastomosis without requiring sutures, staples, or complex surgical instrumentation. This substitution simplifies the device requirements and accelerates the procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic compression devices are designed to be self-aligning and self-compressing once positioned. The magnets naturally attract each other through the tissue, maintaining compression without requiring continuous mechanical support or adjustment, thereby reducing the need for specialized equipment and operator expertise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If magnetic compression devices are delivered as two separate assemblies through small delivery conduits, then minimally-invasive delivery is achieved, but the anastomosis size is limited and short-term patency results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveminimally-invasive deliveryVSAvoidanastomosis placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested delivery system where magnetic compression assemblies are contained within a catheter delivery system. The catheter provides a guided pathway for delivering the magnetic components to the target site through minimally-invasive access, while the nested structure allows for controlled deployment of the magnetic assemblies at the desired location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter acts as an intermediary delivery vehicle that bridges the gap between the operator and the target tissue site. It provides precise positioning control and protects the magnetic components during delivery, enabling accurate placement while maintaining minimally-invasive access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If magnets or couplings are placed to create compressive anastomosis, then tissue compression is achieved, but placement imprecision leads to inaccurate anastomosis formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue compression forceVSAvoidmagnet placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates imaging guidance (such as fluoroscopy or other visualization techniques) to provide real-time feedback on the position of the magnetic compression devices during delivery and deployment. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to verify accurate placement before releasing the compression force, ensuring precise anastomosis formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic compression devices are pre-positioned and pre-aligned within the delivery catheter before reaching the target site. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the magnets are released, they are already in the correct orientation and location, maximizing placement accuracy and eliminating the need for complex in-situ adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates faster, less-expensive treatments for chronic diseases by enabling accurate, minimally-invasive anastomosis formation with reduced complications, improving surgical success and anastomosis size relative to the delivery device dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

The first and second implantable magnetic anastomosis devices are configured to be magnetically attracted to one another through a defined tissue area of the combined thickness of a wall of the tissues at the target site and exert compressive forces on the defined area to form the anastomosis.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20250387122A1Systems, devices, and methods for forming anastomoses

Publication Date: 2025.12.25 GI WINDOWS INC

AI summary

The invention provides systems, devices, and methods for the delivery, deployment, and positioning of magnetic compression devices at a desired site so as to improve the accuracy of anastomoses creation between tissues, organs, or the like.