Mesh Attachment to Surgical Snare Loop via Adhesive Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing surgical snare devices face challenges in attaching a mesh or net to a loop member, leading to interference during object capture due to sliding web material and clips or ringlets, which complicates the procedure.

Innovation Solution

A method involving forming a loop member from a wire, applying an adhesive layer, placing a mesh over the loop, exposing the adhesive to an energy source for bonding, and trimming excess mesh to ensure the loop and mesh are collapsible and expandable, allowing secure attachment without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the web member is attached to the loop of wire through weaving or clips/ringlets, then the mesh is securely connected to the loop, but the strands or clips interfere with object capture by sliding along the loop and bunching together

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidobject capture ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the interfering elements (clips, ringlets, or weaving strands) from the attachment mechanism. Instead, the mesh is directly fused to the loop member through bonding of their constituent materials, eliminating the intermediate components that cause sliding and bunching during object capture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mesh and loop member into a unified structure through direct material bonding. The constituent materials of the mesh and loop member are fused together at their interface, creating a seamless attachment without separate fastening elements that would interfere with operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If clips or ringlets are used to join the web member to the loop, then the attachment is secure, but the presence of these fasteners makes the capturing procedure more difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates clips and ringlets from the attachment system, replacing them with a direct fusion method where the mesh and loop member materials are bonded together, removing the time required to attach or adjust separate fastening components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment of the mesh to the loop member is performed in advance during device manufacturing through material bonding. This preliminary action ensures the mesh is permanently and reliably attached before the procedure, eliminating any time loss during the actual capture operation

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

The method provides a secure and interference-free attachment of the mesh to the loop member, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of object capture within the surgical snare device.

Implementation Method 1

applying a layer of adhesive to the loop member; placing the mesh over the loop member; exposing the adhesive to an energy source while the mesh is positioned over the loop member; allowing the mesh to bond with the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

exposing the adhesive to an energy source while the mesh is positioned over the loop member; allowing the mesh to bond with the adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy-induced bonding:

Data Source

PatentEP3364889B1Method of attaching a mesh to a coated loop member of a surgical snare device
Publication Date: 2023.08.09 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC
  • EP3364889B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3364889B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3364889B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

This specification describes methods of attaching a mesh to a loop member, which includes covering a wire with a layer, manipulating the wire along with the layer to form the loop member, placing the mesh over the loop member, transferring heat to the layer to cause it to partially melt and become tacky, allowing the mesh to fuse with the tacky layer and form a secure bond on cooling, and trimming portions of the mesh extending beyond the circumference of the loop member. A retrieval device formed by the methods include the loop member and attached mesh positioned, and longitudinally movable within, a tubular sheath. The loop member and mesh are deployed to capture a target object and partially retracted for removal of the object.