Segmented Tubular Pelvic Floor Implant With Tissue-Matched Biomechanics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implants for treating pelvic floor disorders, such as pelvic organ prolapse, do not adequately conform to the varying biomechanical properties of different anatomical locations in the body, leading to tissue atrophy and pain due to mismatched biomechanical forces.
Innovation Solution
A tubular implant with distinct portions configured to emulate the biomechanical properties of specific anatomical locations, such as the sacrum and vaginal walls, by varying parameters like elasticity, viscoelasticity, and stiffness, ensuring congruence with the behavior of each tissue type.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a uniform implant is used to support pelvic organs, then the implant provides structural support, but it does not conform to the varying biomechanical properties of different anatomical locations, leading to tissue atrophy and pain
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed with different sections that have distinct biomechanical properties tailored to match specific anatomical locations. The first section has different elasticity, viscoelasticity, and stiffness characteristics compared to the second section, allowing each portion to conform to the unique biomechanical environment of the sacrum, anterior vaginal wall, and posterior vaginal wall respectively
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is divided into multiple discrete sections (first section and second section), each with independently optimized biomechanical properties. This segmentation allows the implant to address the varying requirements of different anatomical locations rather than using a uniform structure throughout
2Strength
If an implant supports higher force than the attached tissue, then the implant provides adequate support, but the tissue atrophies and may break down
Solution Approach 1:
The implant's biomechanical parameters (elasticity, viscoelasticity, stiffness) are specifically adjusted in different sections to match the force-bearing capacity of the attached tissues. This prevents the implant from exerting excessive force on weaker tissues while still providing adequate support, thereby avoiding tissue atrophy and breakdown
Data Source
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AI summary
A tubular implant comprising a first portion of the tubular implant configured to be attached proximate a sacrum, the first portion defining a first lumen; a second portion of the tubular implant, the second portion defining a second lumen, the second lumen directly extending from the first lumen, the second portion including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion being adjacent to the first portion, the second portion including a first section and a second section and two slits separating the first section and the second section, the two slits extend substantially entirely from the proximal end portion to the distal end portion, a transition region defined by an intersection of the first portion, the first section, and the second section, the two slits extending to the transition region, wherein a value corresponding to a biomechanical parameter defining a biomechanical attribute of the first section and a value of the biomechanical parameter defining the biomechanical attribute of the second section are different from each other, wherein the first section is configured to be attached to an anterior vaginal wall, and the second section is configured to be attached to a posterior vaginal wall, wherein the biomechanical attribute of the first section is configured to emulate biomechanical properties of the anterior vaginal wall of the patient and the biomechanical attribute of the second section is configured to emulate biomechanical properties of the posterior vaginal wall of the patient.