Retractable Lead Tip Anchor for Stable Placement and Easy Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical device leads, particularly those with small diameters used in neuromodulation techniques, face challenges with anchor structures that fail to prevent distal end movement and require invasive procedures for repositioning or removal.
Innovation Solution
A retractable tip anchor configuration using a resilient polymeric material that transitions between distended and contracted states, allowing for secure anchoring and non-invasive implantation and removal of medical device leads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional anchor structure is used to stabilize the lead, then the lead is anchored, but the anchor requires invasive procedures for removal and may damage surrounding tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is designed with a retractable distention mechanism that transitions from a deployed state (providing anchoring) to a retracted state (allowing removal). The distention can be dynamically adjusted using a stylet to contract and release the anchor from tissue engagement, enabling non-invasive removal without damaging surrounding tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor utilizes changes in the distention parameter of a resilient polymeric material. When the stylet is inserted, it applies force to contract the distention; when removed, the distention automatically expands to engage tissue. This parameter change enables the anchor to switch between anchoring and removal states without invasive procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the anchor is designed to be retractable to enable non-invasive removal, then tissue damage is reduced, but the anchor structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable distention is nested within the lead body, with the stylet nested within the axial lumen of the lead. The anchor mechanism is integrated into the existing lead structure rather than being a separate component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the retractable functionality for non-invasive removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient polymeric material of the distention automatically expands and contracts without requiring external actuation mechanisms. The material's inherent elasticity provides the anchoring force when expanded and the release force when compressed by the stylet, eliminating the need for complex mechanical actuation systems.
3Length of moving object
If a small diameter lead is used for neuromodulation, then the lead is more minimally invasive, but anchoring becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor utilizes a resilient polymeric distention that can be compressed to a small diameter to fit within the thin lead body, then expanded to engage surrounding tissue. This flexible polymeric structure provides adequate anchoring force for small diameter leads while maintaining the lead's minimally invasive profile during insertion.
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 retractable tip anchor minimizes distal end movement, facilitates non-invasive implantation and removal, and reduces tissue damage, enhancing the stability and ease of use of small diameter medical device leads.
Implementation Method 1
A retractable tip anchor configuration using a resilient polymeric material that can be distended or contracted
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods which provide retractable anchor configurations for medical device leads are described. A retractable anchor may implement a retractable distention composed of a resilient material. The retractable distention may be distended when in a neutral state and may be contracted when in a biased state. A biasing bulkhead may be configured to receive a bias force sufficient to retract the retractable distention. A stylet may be inserted into an axial lumen of a medical device lead having retractable tip anchor structure and may engage the biasing bulkhead to apply a bias force. A stylet knob may be configured to interface with the stylet and provide bias force to be transferred to the biasing bulkhead of the retractable tip anchor structure. Locking the stylet knob on the medical device lead may maintain the bias force applied to the biasing bulkhead until the stylet knob is unlocked.