Segmented Mesh Strip for Even Tension Distribution in Tissue Lifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current minimally invasive procedures for facial and body tissue lifting, such as thread lifts, face limited in longevity and often result in irregularities like 'cheese wiring' due to concentrated tension points, lacking effective distribution of tension across tissue anchoring sites.

Innovation Solution

Development of mesh strips or cords with anchors like barbs, hooks, or cones made of absorbable or non-absorbable materials, introduced via an introducer device, which self-expand to distribute tension evenly across tissue layers, reducing puckering and enhancing lift longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If thread lifts are used for minimally invasive facial lifting, then the procedure is less invasive, but the longevity is limited and irregularities occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveminimally invasive procedureVSAvoidlongevity of lifting effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device is segmented into multiple anchoring points along its length, allowing tension to be distributed across multiple tissue attachment sites rather than concentrated at single points. This segmentation enables the device to maintain lifting effect longer while reducing tissue damage and irregularities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from traditional single-point or limited-point anchoring to multi-point anchoring along the length of the lifting device. This dimensional expansion of anchoring points creates a more distributed tension system that improves both longevity and reduces harmful concentration effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If traditional lifting devices are used, then the procedure is simple, but tension is concentrated at anchor points causing irregularities like cheese wiring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of lifting deviceVSAvoidtension concentration causing cheese wiring
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting device incorporates multiple anchoring points segmented along its structure, transforming the tension distribution from concentrated to distributed. This segmentation maintains relative device simplicity while eliminating the cheese wiring effect caused by single-point tension concentration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If fewer anchoring points are used, then the device is simpler to insert, but tension distribution is poor leading to irregularities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of insertionVSAvoidtension distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device features multiple anchoring points segmented along its length, which can be inserted through a single minimally invasive access point while providing distributed tension. This segmentation achieves both ease of insertion and uniform tension distribution simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds the dimension of multiple anchoring points along the length of the device, transforming from single-point to multi-point anchoring. This dimensional change enables uniform tension distribution without compromising insertion ease, as all points are accessed through one entry site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3515326B1Apparatus for lifting or restraining a body part
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SURGICAL INNOVATION ASSOCIATES INC
  • EP3515326B1 patent drawingFigure 1~9
  • EP3515326B1 patent drawingFigure 10~12
  • EP3515326B1 patent drawingFigure 13

AI summary

The disclosure is generally directed to assemblies and methods that include (1) strips or cords of material configured to lift, restrain, or hold whole body organs (e.g., of a human patient) or parts of body organs in desired positions via tissue anchors (e.g., barbs, hooks, or cones), (2) an introducer device that facilitates the introduction of such strips or cords into a patient, and (3) the process of inserting such strips or cords of material into a patient (e.g., using an introducer device).