Tissue Prosthesis Delivery Device Minimally Invasive Implantation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for implanting tissue prostheses, such as intervertebral disc nucleus prostheses, often involve major invasive surgery and cause significant trauma to surrounding tissues, necessitating a minimally invasive approach that minimizes damage to the annulus fibrosis.
Innovation Solution
A tissue prosthesis delivery device featuring an elongate tubular introducer element with a tissue piercing distal end, a closure member, and an expansible prosthesis envelope, along with a tissue removal mechanism that includes a filamentary element and RF energy for minimally invasive deployment and tissue removal, and a conductive tip to stimulate nerves and reduce nerve damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If major invasive surgery is used to implant tissue prosthesis, then the prosthesis can be implanted reliably, but significant trauma is caused to surrounding tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the implantation procedure into separate functional components: the introducer element for access, the closure member for sealing, and the expansible envelope for prosthesis delivery. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling minimally invasive access while maintaining implantation reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansible prosthesis envelope is received in a collapsed configuration within the tubular introducer element, allowing the prosthesis to be delivered through a small incision. The nested arrangement enables the large prosthesis to pass through the small introducer, then expand to its functional size at the implantation site, reducing trauma to surrounding tissues.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally invasive technique is used to replace nucleus pulposus, then trauma to annulus fibrosis is minimized, but the complexity of the delivery device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The introducer element serves multiple functions: it provides the access pathway, houses the tissue removal mechanism, contains the expansible envelope, and provides the opening through which the prosthesis is deployed. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices, thereby limiting trauma to the annulus fibrosis while controlling overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is displaceably arranged relative to the introducer element, allowing it to move between an open position for prosthesis deployment and a closed position for sealing. This dynamic arrangement enables the device to adapt to different stages of the implantation procedure, achieving minimally invasive access without requiring multiple static components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tissue removal mechanism is added to the introducer element, then tissue removal capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue removal mechanism is merged with the introducer element, with the filamentary element extending from the opening of the introducer. This integration allows tissue removal to be performed through the same access pathway used for prosthesis delivery, eliminating the need for separate surgical steps and reducing overall procedural complexity despite adding functionality.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conductive tip is used to stimulate nerves, then nerve damage is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive tip at the distal end of the introducer element provides self-service by actively stimulating surrounding nerves to evoke a response that reduces the likelihood of nerve damage. The introducer element itself serves the dual function of delivery and nerve protection, eliminating the need for separate nerve monitoring devices.
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 minimally invasive implantation of tissue prostheses with reduced trauma and nerve damage, facilitating the deployment of an elastically deformable prosthesis envelope that conforms to the cavity, thereby stabilizing the nucleus prosthesis and minimizing the likelihood of extrusion.
Implementation Method 1
at least the distal end of the introducer element being conductive to stimulate surrounding nerves in the patient's body electrically to evoke a response to reduce the likelihood of causing nerve damage as the introducer element is manoeuvred through the patient's body
Implementation Method 2
The tissue removal mechanism may be conductive to be energised to effect tissue removal. More particularly, the tissue removal mechanism may be energised with RF energy to effect tissue removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue prosthesis delivery device (10) includes an elongate, tubular introducer element (12), the element having a tissue piercing distal end (14) with an opening (16) arranged proximally of the distal end (14). A closure member (18) is associated with the introducer element (12) for opening and closing the opening (16) of the introducer element (12). An expansible prosthesis envelope (20) is received in a collapsed configuration within the tubular introducer element (12) to be deployed laterally of the introducer element (12) through the opening (16).