Pelvic Implant Delivery System with Nested Protective Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices face challenges in delivering pelvic implants effectively, often resulting in damage due to space constraints and excessive handling during procedures, which complicates the treatment of female pelvic dysfunctions such as urinary incontinence and prolapse.
Innovation Solution
The development of a delivery system comprising an elongate body with a suture and a dilator device that allows for the secure coupling and placement of pelvic implants within the pelvic region, minimizing handling and damage through a lumen and releasable coupling mechanisms, enabling precise placement and anchoring within anatomical structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional delivery devices are used to deliver pelvic implants, then the implant can be delivered through vaginal or exterior incisions, but the implant may become damaged during delivery due to space constraints and excessive handling
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is nested within a protective delivery device that includes an outer sheath and inner holder. The implant remains contained within these protective structures throughout the delivery process, preventing damage from external handling and space constraints during insertion through vaginal or exterior incisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery device is pre-assembled with the implant in a protected configuration before the procedure. The outer sheath and inner holder are prepared in advance to provide coordinated protection, reducing the need for excessive handling and manipulation during the actual implantation procedure.
2Reliability
If the implant is securely held during delivery, then damage during delivery is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple coupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery device is segmented into distinct functional components: an outer sheath for external protection, an inner holder for secure implant retention, and releasable coupling mechanisms. Each segment performs a specific protective function, allowing the implant to be securely held without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner holder acts as an intermediary between the implant and the outer sheath, providing secure retention while allowing the outer sheath to provide additional protection. This intermediate structure enables reliable implant protection through coordinated action of multiple simpler components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongate body that defines a lumen and a suture coupled to the elongate body and at least partially disposed within the lumen. The suture extends at least partially from a proximal end of the elongate body and forms a loop configured to couple a portion of a pelvic implant to the elongate body. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes an elongate body having a distal end configured to releasably couple the elongate body to a delivery device. A tubular member is movably disposed over at least a portion of the elongate body. A coupler is disposed at a proximal end of the elongate body and is configured to releasably couple an implant to the elongate body. The tubular member can be slidably disposed over at least a portion of the implant when the pelvic implant is coupled to the elongate body.