Medical Implant Polymer Matrix for Migration-Resistant Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices designed for implantation in a subject, such as stents, experience migration from the target location due to compressible and flexible configurations, influenced by peristalsis and lubricious environments, minimizing their effectiveness and causing health complications, and existing fixation methods require additional procedures for tool removal.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a polymer matrix and bio-adhesive coating, featuring a temporary and permanent fixation mechanism, where the polymer matrix allows tissue growth and the bio-adhesive coating provides initial anchoring, followed by tissue integration, ensuring long-term stability without the need for ancillary tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ancillary tools such as sutures or tape are used to fix the implantable device to the target location, then device stability is improved, but device complexity and procedural burden increase due to subsequent removal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fixation function from separate ancillary tools (sutures, tape) and integrates it directly into the implantable device structure itself. The device incorporates fixation elements such as barbs, hooks, or adhesive coatings that are built-in, eliminating the need for separate fixation tools and their subsequent removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the fixation mechanism with the implantable device body, creating a unified structure where the device both treats and anchors itself. This combination eliminates the need for separate fixation components and simplifies the overall procedure by removing the second step of fixation tool removal.
2Ease of operation
If the implantable device is made compressible and flexible to navigate the target location, then ease of delivery is improved, but device stability deteriorates due to migration from the target location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device structure into distinct functional zones: a flexible delivery portion that can be compressed for navigation, and a rigid or stable fixation portion with integrated anchoring elements that remains stable at the target site. This segmentation allows the device to be delivered in a compressed state while maintaining stability through the integrated fixation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic structural design where the device transitions from a compressed, flexible configuration during delivery to an expanded, stable configuration at the target site. The integrated fixation elements are activated or deployed during this transition, ensuring stability is achieved after delivery while maintaining ease of delivery during the procedure.
3Ease of operation
If the device remains in a lubricious environment to facilitate delivery, then ease of delivery is improved, but device stability worsens due to increased migration tendencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different surface properties in different regions of the device. The delivery portion maintains lubricious properties for easy passage, while the fixation portion incorporates hydrophobic or adhesive surface characteristics that resist migration and enhance anchoring at the target site, thereby resolving the conflict between ease of delivery and device stability.
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 device effectively minimizes migration, enhances treatment efficacy, and reduces the need for additional procedures by integrating with the tissue, providing both temporary and permanent fixation mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer matrix over the body, wherein the polymer matrix comprises a plurality of fibers defining a plurality of pores to permit tissue growth therethrough
Implementation Method 2
a bio-adhesive coating at least partially covering the polymer matrix
Implementation Method 3
the bio-adhesive coating provides initial anchoring, followed by tissue integration
Data Source
AI summary
A medical device that includes a body and a polymer matrix over the body. The polymer matrix includes a plurality of fibers defining a plurality of pores to permit tissue growth therethrough. The medical device includes a bio-adhesive coating at least partially covering the polymer matrix.