Incontinence Sling Delivery Device Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical devices for delivering implants to weakened or damaged pelvic tissues face challenges in controlling the trajectory of long, curved needles, which can deflect and cause injuries to nearby tissues like the bladder, urethra, or bowel, especially when coupled with dilators.
Innovation Solution
A medical assembly featuring a delivery device with a needle and a handle that includes a locking mechanism between the dilator and the needle, preventing axial movement and allowing for controlled trajectory guidance, thereby minimizing the risk of needle deflection and tissue injury.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long and curved needle is used to deliver the implant, then the needle can reach the target tissue more effectively, but the needle tends to deflect easily and is difficult to control or direct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dilator as an intermediary component between the operator's hand and the needle. The dilator is held and manipulated by the operator, serving as a stable mediator that transmits controlled movements to the needle while filtering out hand tremors and excessive movements, thereby improving needle control during delivery
2Ease of operation
If the dilator is coupled to the needle to facilitate implant delivery, then the implant can be delivered more easily, but the dilator may advance forward beyond the needle tip, causing difficulties in advancement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic coupling mechanism between the dilator and needle that allows relative movement. The dilator can slide along the needle shaft and is designed to advance independently when needed, while maintaining connection during delivery. This dynamic arrangement allows the dilator to pass through tissues that have already been pierced by the needle without being constrained by the needle's position
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hands are used to guide the needle trajectory to prevent injury, then tissue safety is improved, but the complexity of the procedure increases and control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The dilator serves as an intermediary tool that the operator holds and uses to guide the needle trajectory. By manipulating the dilator rather than directly holding the needle, the operator gains better control over the needle's path while reducing the complexity of hand coordination required during the procedure
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 solution enhances control over the needle trajectory during surgical procedures, reducing the risk of injury to surrounding tissues and facilitating precise placement of implants, thus improving the safety and efficacy of pelvic floor disorder treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The first locking feature sized to frictionally retain the second locking feature
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a medical assembly and method for the delivery of an implant inside a patient's body. The medical assembly includes a sling assembly (102) including a dilator (104) and an implant (104). The dilator can be configured to be coupled to the implant. The dilator includes a proximal portion and a distal portion such that the proximal portion includes a first locking feature. The medical assembly includes a delivery device configured to deliver the sling assembly. The delivery device includes a needle (116) and a handle (124) having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion of the handle includes a second locking feature configured to releasably mate with the first locking feature and inhibit axial movement of the dilator with respect to the delivery device. The first locking feature is sized to frictionally retain the second locking feature.