Repositionable Anchor for Therapy Delivery Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing therapy delivery elements, such as catheters and medical leads, require precise placement to ensure therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects, but current anchoring methods lack the ability to reposition these elements once implanted, limiting adjustment and potential for improved positioning.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable anchor with an elastic body forming a lumen that compressibly engages the therapy delivery element, featuring channels for radial stretching using a pronged tool, allowing for adjustment of the anchor's position relative to the therapy delivery element by reducing the holding force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an anchor is designed to securely hold a therapy delivery element in place, then the anchoring strength is improved, but the ability to reposition the anchor is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor body is designed with radially stretchable material that allows dynamic adjustment between a compressed state (for secure anchoring) and a stretched state (for repositioning). The channels enable controlled radial expansion to reduce holding force, allowing the anchor to transition between fixed and movable states as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding force of the anchor is controlled by changing the radial dimension of the anchor body through stretching. When the anchor is compressed, it provides strong holding force; when radially stretched via the channels, the holding force is reduced, enabling repositioning. This parameter change allows both secure anchoring and adjustability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the anchor is made rigid to maintain stable positioning, then the positioning stability is improved, but the ease of adjustment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor transitions from a rigid compressed state (providing stable positioning) to a flexible stretched state (enabling easy adjustment). The radially stretchable material allows the anchor to be manipulated through the channels for repositioning, then returned to its rigid compressed state for stable anchoring after adjustment.
3Strength
If the lumen cross-section is made small to fit tightly around the therapy delivery element, then the holding force is improved, but the ease of placement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lumen is designed to be radially expandable through the channels. During placement, the lumen can be stretched to a larger cross-section to facilitate easy insertion over the therapy delivery element. Once in position, the lumen returns to its smaller compressed cross-section to provide tight engagement and strong holding force.
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 secure initial placement and subsequent adjustment of therapy delivery elements, enhancing therapeutic efficacy by allowing for precise positioning and reducing the risk of complications associated with fixed anchor placement.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body that forms a lumen configured to compressibly engage the therapy delivery element
Implementation Method 2
Radially stretching the anchor reduces a holding force of the anchor on the therapy delivery element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
This disclosure includes an anchor configured to maintain a portion of a therapy delivery element within a desired location of a patient. The anchor comprises a body forming a lumen configured to compressibly engage the outer surface of the therapy delivery element to hold the anchor in place about the therapy delivery element. The anchor may be stretched such that the lumen becomes larger than the cross-section of the therapy delivery element to facilitate positioning the anchor about the therapy delivery element. The body forms two or more channels that facilitate radial stretching of the anchor using a pronged tool. Radially stretching the body via the channels using the pronged tool reduces a holding force of the anchor on the therapy delivery element to facilitate adjusting a position of the anchor relative to the therapy delivery element.