Radial Tissue Anchor Structure for Multi-Directional Extraction Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue anchors are prone to extraction by unpredictable forces and require open heart procedures for heart valve repairs.

Innovation Solution

A tissue anchor with a base and radially symmetric prongs, designed to resist extraction forces regardless of direction, secured by a tether at the geometric center, allowing delivery to the heart without open heart procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional tissue anchors are used, then implantation can be performed, but the anchors are prone to extraction by unpredictable forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to extractionVSAvoidanchor structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor is divided into multiple prongs (typically three or four) that can independently engage with the tissue. Each prong acts as a separate anchoring element, providing distributed resistance to extraction forces from different directions, thereby improving reliability without requiring a single complex structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The prongs are designed with asymmetric geometries including hooks, barbs, or curved surfaces that provide directional resistance. The asymmetric shape allows the prongs to engage tissue effectively in the implantation direction while resisting extraction forces, creating reliable anchoring through geometric asymmetry rather than symmetric reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Reliability

If open heart procedures are used for heart valve repair, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the procedure becomes highly invasive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinvasiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system replaces the need for open heart surgical exposure with a minimally invasive catheter-based approach. The anchor is delivered through a flexible delivery catheter that can be inserted percutaneously, substituting complex mechanical surgical access with a streamlined catheter delivery mechanism that maintains attachment security while reducing invasiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery catheter uses flexible materials and thin-walled construction to navigate the cardiovascular system and deploy the anchor at the target site. The flexible delivery system allows percutaneous access and precise positioning without requiring open heart surgery, reducing harmful invasive factors while maintaining reliable anchor deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20250366985A1Tissue anchors

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 VESALIUS CARDIOVASCULAR INC

AI summary

A tissue anchor is disclosed. The tissue anchor comprises a base and first, second, third and fourth prongs being joined to the base at proximal ends thereof. In some embodiments, each of the first, second, third and fourth prongs extends radially outwardly from the proximal end along an arcuate path towards a distal end. The first, second, third and fourth prongs may be radially symmetrically such that the anchor has radial symmetry about a central axis of the anchor.