Pelvic Implant Tether Retainer for Adjustable Tensioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implants for pelvic floor support face challenges in applying and adjusting tension during and after implantation procedures, making it difficult to achieve optimal support and stability for conditions like urinary incontinence and prolapse.
Innovation Solution
A medical device comprising a support member, a tether, and a retainer, where the tether forms a loop and is coupled to the support member, allowing for extension from the body, and the retainer is positioned outside the body to secure the tether and maintain the support member's position and tension, enabling adjustable tensioning post-procedure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing medical devices or implants are used for pelvic floor support, then support can be provided to treat conditions like urinary incontinence and prolapse, but it is difficult to apply and adjust tension during and after implantation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tether adjustable in length through a retrieval port. The tether can be dynamically shortened or lengthened after implantation, allowing tension adjustment without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms. This resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation for tension adjustment while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the retrieval port as an intermediary element that enables tension adjustment. The retrieval port serves as a mediator through which the tether can be accessed and adjusted post-implantation, eliminating the need for complex external adjustment apparatus while maintaining ease of operation.
2Manufacturing precision
If existing implants are used to provide pelvic floor support, then support can be achieved, but precise placement and tensioning control are difficult during and after the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic adjustability of the tether length allows for precise placement and tension control. The tether can be adjusted in real-time during and after implantation, enabling the practitioner to achieve optimal placement precision and tension control without compromising ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the tether is made adjustable for post-procedure tensioning, then ease of operation improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval port acts as an intermediary that enables post-procedure adjustment without requiring complex tether mechanisms. By providing a simple access point through which the tether can be adjusted, the device achieves ease of operation while minimizing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether adjustment mechanism allows the device to be self-adjusting without requiring complex external apparatus. The practitioner can directly adjust the tether through the retrieval port, eliminating the need for additional complex adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device includes a support member, a tether, and a retainer. The support member is configured to be placed within a body of a patient and provide support to a portion of the body of the patient. The tether forms a loop and is coupled to the support member. The tether is configured to extend from the body of the patient when the support member is placed within the body of the patient. The retainer is configured to be coupled to the tether at a first location on the tether and at a second location on the tether different than the first location. The retainer is configured to be disposed outside of the body of the patient when the support member is placed within the body of the patient.