Needle-Electrode Anchor System for Tissue Approximation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures for tissue approximation and retraction during internal medical procedures are complex due to limited access and the size of existing instruments, making it difficult to insert anchors through thick tissue walls, requiring significant force that can bend scopes and often result in anchors being placed in less desirable locations.
Innovation Solution
A needle-electrode anchor system that uses an electrical cutting current to create openings in tissue, allowing an anchor to be pushed through and secured on a distal surface, with optional electrodes and pusher catheters to facilitate the insertion and positioning of anchors for tissue approximation and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If significant force is applied to push the needle and anchor through the wall, then the anchor can be inserted through thick tissue walls, but the flexible endoscope bends and the procedure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical pushing system with an electro-mechanical system. Electrical current is applied to the needle to create localized tissue cutting or coagulation at the tip, enabling the needle to penetrate tissue walls with minimal manual force. This substitution of mechanical force with electrical energy prevents scope bending and procedural complexity while achieving anchor insertion through thick tissue walls
2Force
If the needle and anchor are pushed through the wall with significant force, then the anchor can be inserted, but the anchor may be placed in less desirable locations
Solution Approach 1:
By replacing mechanical pushing with electrical current-assisted penetration, the system achieves precise control over the needle tip location. The electrical current is applied only when the needle tip reaches the desired position, and the localized tissue effect occurs precisely at the needle tip, ensuring accurate anchor placement in the intended location rather than forcing the anchor to less desirable positions
3Ease of operation
If conventional instruments are used for tissue approximation and retraction during internal procedures, then the instruments can perform the required functions, but the limited viewing and access prohibit their use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated instrument: the needle serves both as the penetration tool and as the carrier for the electrical current. The anchor is attached to the needle, and the entire assembly can be controlled through the endoscope channel. This merging of functions into one instrument enables tissue approximation and retraction during internal procedures without requiring multiple separate instruments, thus overcoming the limitations of limited viewing and access
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
Enables efficient and precise insertion of anchors, reducing procedural time and complexity by creating controlled openings for anchor placement, allowing for effective tissue approximation and retraction without bending scopes or placing anchors in undesirable locations.
Implementation Method 1
The system can provide an electrical cutting current to the needle-electrode to create an opening in a tissue portion
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a needle-electrode anchor system having a needle and an optional electrode with one or more anchors. The system can provide an electrical cutting current to the needle-electrode to create an opening in a tissue portion. An anchor coupled to the needle-electrode can be pushed through the opening with a pusher and pulled into position to set the anchor on a distal surface of the opening. If the tissue portion is to be approximated to another tissue portion, the system can be relocated to another tissue portion and another opening created with the cutting current with another anchor pushed through the opening and secured on a distal surface. Lines coupled to the anchors can be pulled together, approximating the tissue portions. If the tissue portion is to be retracted, an anchor line can be grasped to retract the tissue portion from an adjacent tissue portion.