Microanchors for GI Tract Tissue Anchoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Implantable devices in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract face challenges in secure anchoring without disrupting normal physiological functions, particularly in dynamic environments where migration and removal are concerns.

Innovation Solution

Microanchors designed to penetrate only the submucosa, utilizing a combination of tissue engagement members and strain-relieving connectors made from biocompatible materials like nitinol or stainless steel, allowing for secure fixation and easy removal while maintaining normal GI tract functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tissue anchors penetrate deeper into the GI tract wall to ensure secure anchoring, then device fixation reliability is improved, but tissue damage and disruption of normal GI functions worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice fixation reliabilityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The microanchor features a localized sharp tip for penetration that transitions to a broader flatter body for tissue engagement. This local quality differentiation allows the tip to penetrate the mucosa effectively while the broader body engages the submucosa without excessive depth, preventing tissue damage while maintaining fixation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The microanchor inverts the traditional anchor design by having the penetration point (tip) as the smallest dimension, then expanding to a broader engagement surface. This inversion allows minimal invasive penetration while maximizing tissue engagement area, resolving the contradiction between secure anchoring and tissue preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Stability of the object's composition

If tissue anchors are made permanent and secure to prevent migration, then device stability is improved, but ease of removal worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidease of removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The microanchor transitions from a static design to a dynamic one where the engagement members can flex and deform. The strain-relieving connectors allow the anchor to adapt to tissue movement while maintaining stability, and this same flexibility enables controlled removal by applying force to deform the engagement members away from the tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The microanchor utilizes parameter changes in the engagement members' mechanical properties. The members are designed to be rigid enough for stable anchoring but can undergo controlled deformation when removal force is applied. This parameter change allows the anchor to switch between stable fixation and easy removal states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If multiple tissue engagement members are used to enhance anchoring security, then device fixation is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice fixationVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The microanchor is segmented into distinct functional components: a tip for penetration, engagement members for tissue anchoring, and strain-relieving connectors for flexibility. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design simple and manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The microanchor merges multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The engagement members serve both as anchoring elements and as strain-relieving components through their elastic deformation capability. This merging reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying the device while maintaining reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 microanchors provide reliable device fixation and easy removal without causing tissue damage or disrupting GI functions, effectively addressing the challenges of anchoring and retrieval in dynamic environments.

Implementation Method 1

a reversibly deformable and recoverable segment located between the first portion and the second portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

biocompatible materials like nitinol or stainless steel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory alloy: Shape Memory Alloy

Data Source

PatentUS11413055B2Microanchors for anchoring devices to body tissues

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

Tissue anchoring devices in the form of microanchors that partially penetrate tissue, thereby avoiding full thickness penetration of the tissue, yet are secure enough to enable reliable device fixation and easy removal of the device while maintaining normal GI tract functions.