Slidable Anchoring Barb for Medical Prosthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intraluminal prostheses, such as stents and valves, face challenges with barb design and attachment methods that lead to failure due to corrosion, fracture, and migration under high mechanical stresses, necessitating a simplified and secure anchoring solution.
Innovation Solution
The development of a medical prosthesis with anchoring elements formed from thin metal layers, using laser-cutting or machining to create barbs that can be securely attached to the strut via spot welding, and featuring a slidable design to accommodate stress and prevent migration, with optional actuation mechanisms for deploying the barb into a tissue-engaging position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If soldering is used to attach barbs to the prosthesis frame, then the attachment method is simple, but the solder is subject to corrosion in bodily fluids leading to barb failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the soldering process entirely from the attachment method. Instead of soldering barbs to the frame, the invention uses a mechanical attachment system where the frame itself is formed with integrated attachment features (such as crimping surfaces or deformation zones) that mechanically secure the barbs without requiring corrosive soldering materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism of soldering with a mechanical attachment system. The frame incorporates specific geometric features (such as recesses, crimping zones, or deformation areas) that allow barbs to be mechanically secured through crimping, folding, or deformation, eliminating the need for solder and its associated corrosion problems.
2Reliability
If mechanical attachment methods are used to secure barbs, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the attachment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame structure with the attachment mechanism. Rather than adding separate attachment components or complex assembly steps, the frame itself is designed with integrated features (such as built-in crimping zones, deformation areas, or geometric interlocks) that provide mechanical attachment functionality as an inherent part of the frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure provides its own attachment capability through self-contained geometric features. The frame includes integrated crimping surfaces, deformation zones, or interlocking geometries that enable mechanical attachment of barbs without requiring external attachment hardware or complex multi-step assembly procedures.
3Ease of manufacture
If standard barb designs are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but barb fracture is common under high repetitive mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the barb assembly. The barb itself may have varying wall thicknesses, with thicker sections at stress concentration points (such as the base or root of the barb) and thinner sections elsewhere. The frame attachment zone incorporates reinforced geometries or distributed stress features that locally enhance strength without compromising overall manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure incorporates features that preemptively manage stress distribution before fractures can occur. This includes integrated stress-distributing geometries, rounded transition zones, and reinforcement features built into the frame that prevent stress concentration at critical points, thereby cushioning against the high repetitive mechanical stresses that would otherwise cause barb fracture.
4Strength
If barbs are made from thick material, then strength is improved, but manufacturing precision and consistency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the material thickness parameter of the barbs to achieve the best balance between strength and manufacturability. Rather than using uniformly thick material, the design specifies precise thickness parameters (such as 0.002-0.006 inches) that provide sufficient strength while enabling consistent manufacturing through standard processes. The frame attachment features also incorporate geometric parameters optimized for reliable mechanical attachment.
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
This solution enhances the manufacturing consistency and reduces costs while improving the anchoring ability and fatigue life of the prosthesis, minimizing the risk of barb fracture and migration, ensuring secure placement within the body.
Implementation Method 1
By laser-cutting, etching, machining, stamping, otherwise cutting or forming the anchoring element from a cannula or flat sheet of material
Implementation Method 2
a barb is formed from the layer of material that extends out from the basal portion of the anchoring element
Data Source
AI summary
A medical prosthesis for implantation within the body of a patient comprises a support structure and an anchoring element that comprises a basal portion and at least one barb extending from the basal portion. The anchoring element may be slidably attached to the strut and the strut may include a first stop and a second stop that define a longitudinal zone of movement for the anchoring element. Other devices and methods are described.