Sheath Cap Petals Prevent Tissue Entry in Rotator Cuff Implant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures lack effective methods for repairing partial thickness tears in the rotator cuff tendons, leading to further damage and discomfort, as they do not adequately strengthen or repair the tendon, and there is a need for improved delivery and positioning of medical implants during arthroscopic procedures for soft tissue injuries.
Innovation Solution
The development of an implant delivery system comprising a sheath member with a cap having petals that collapse to prevent tissue entry, an implant delivery shaft with varying diameters, and a distal movement lock, allowing for precise deployment and positioning of sheet-like implants within the body, including the use of an implant spreader assembly to unfold and secure the implant at the target site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current medical procedures are used for rotator cuff repair, then the procedure can be performed, but the tendon is not adequately strengthened or repaired leading to further damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by delivering and positioning a reinforcement implant within the tendon substance before the tendon is subjected to further stress or damage. The implant is pre-positioned to provide immediate structural support and strengthening, preventing further damage while the tendon heals. This is achieved through the delivery system that places the implant in advance of any therapeutic or rehabilitative stress on the tendon.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a sheath member with cap is used to prevent tissue entry, then tissue contamination is prevented, but the delivery system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the cap inside the sheath member, creating a compact nested structure. The cap is positioned within the lumen of the sheath member and can be deployed to seal the distal end, preventing tissue entry while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. This nesting approach allows the protective function to be added without significantly increasing the external dimensions or complexity of the delivery system.
3Manufacturing precision
If an implant delivery shaft with varying diameters is used, then precise implant positioning is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the implant delivery shaft into multiple sections with different diameters. Each section is designed with a specific diameter to facilitate particular functions during implant delivery and positioning. This segmented approach allows for precise control of the implant delivery process while potentially simplifying manufacturing, as each section can be fabricated to standard dimensions and then assembled or formed sequentially.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If petals are configured to collapse together to form a plug, then tissue entry is prevented, but the cap structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by configuring the cap with petals that can change their configuration from an expanded state during delivery to a collapsed state when forming the plug. The petals are designed to be flexible and capable of movement, allowing them to collapse together in response to forces applied during implant delivery. This dynamic configuration allows the cap to perform multiple functions (delivery aid and sealing plug) without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An implant delivery device for introducing and positioning implants within patients may include a sheath member having a distal end, a proximal end, and a central longitudinal axis, the sheath member defining a lumen along the central longitudinal axis. The implant delivery device may additionally include an implant delivery shaft having a distal end and a proximal end, the implant delivery shaft disposed at least partially within the sheath member and an implant spreader assembly disposed at the distal end of the implant delivery shaft. In some embodiments, the implant delivery device may further include a cap disposed at the distal end of the sheath member, the cap obstructing at least a portion of an opening into the lumen of the sheath member.