Multi-Cellular Closure Device for Tissue Opening Approximation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional treatments for Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) and other internal tissue defects often require invasive surgery, which poses risks and are less efficient in closing the tissue opening effectively.

Innovation Solution

A medical system comprising a closure device with a frame that includes proximal and distal anchors, capable of deploying within a tissue structure to approximate and close the opening, utilizing a multi-cellular structure and tissue growth members to facilitate tissue ingrowth and secure closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional surgical procedures are used to close PFO, then the tissue opening can be closed, but the treatment becomes invasive and carries surgical risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional surgical mechanical procedures with a minimally invasive percutaneous delivery system. The closure device is delivered through a catheter via the venous system, eliminating the need for open chest surgery and associated surgical risks while maintaining effective closure of the PFO.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a closure device as an intermediary element that mediates between the medical need to close the PFO and the patient's body. This device can be delivered percutaneously and provides a bridge that allows effective closure without direct surgical intervention in the heart, reducing harmful surgical factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If a closure device is deployed to close the PFO, then the tissue opening is reduced, but the device must accommodate various sizes and shapes of defects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue opening sizeVSAvoidaccommodation of various defect sizes and shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The closure device is divided into multiple segments including a proximal anchor, a distal anchor, and a central portion with cells. These segmented components can independently adapt to different anatomical configurations, allowing the device to accommodate various sizes and shapes of PFO defects while effectively reducing the opening area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure device incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt its configuration during deployment. The anchors and central portion can adjust to match the specific geometry of the defect, providing versatility across different patient anatomies while achieving effective closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If anchors are used to secure the closure device, then the device becomes stable in position, but the anchors may cause tissue damage during insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice position stabilityVSAvoidtissue damage from anchors

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The anchors are designed to be deployed in a controlled sequence after the device has been positioned at the target site. The delivery system allows preliminary positioning of the entire device, followed by sequential anchor deployment, which minimizes tissue damage by avoiding repeated manipulations and ensuring accurate placement in a single procedure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional surgical anchoring methods with a percutaneously delivered anchor system. The anchors are deployed through the catheter system using controlled mechanical expansion, which reduces tissue trauma compared to open surgical anchoring techniques while maintaining stable device positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9585644B2Devices for reducing the size of an internal tissue opening

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 COHEREX MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A medical system for treating an internal tissue opening can include a closure device and associated delivery device. The closure device can include a body portion operatively associated with a first anchor and a second anchor. The body portion can include a plurality of segments defining a multi-cellular structure. The closure device can be configured to apply lateral force to tissue of the internal tissue opening to bring tissue together. The closure device can have a substantially flat aspect, and have a depth thickness that is substantially greater than the thickness or width of a majority of the members forming the closure device to reduce out of plane bending. The closure device can also include a member adapted to induce tissue growth.