Spring Loaded Self Locking Reversible Anchor for Heart Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
The uneven topology of heart features poses a challenge in effectively anchoring implantable medical devices, such as annuloplasty rings, due to difficulties in securing them to the varying anatomical structures.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded, self-locking anchoring assembly is introduced, comprising an anchor head with a compressible coil and an anchor housing with a threaded and unthreaded bore, which converts drive force into axial translation and compression forces to securely anchor the device to the tissue, utilizing a flange and locking feature to maintain affixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchoring methods are used, then the implant can be deployed, but the anchor may not securely attach to uneven heart tissue topology, leading to potential backout or dislodgement
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor incorporates a compressible coil spring that dynamically adjusts during deployment. The spring compresses as the anchor is driven into tissue, then expands to engage locking features in the housing, creating a self-locking mechanism that adapts to tissue variations and secures the anchor in place
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring system is self-locking through the interaction between the compressible coil spring and the locking features (flange/tab) in the anchor housing. Once deployed, the spring's expansion automatically engages the locking mechanism without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems
2Reliability
If the anchor is made more complex with additional locking features, then retention improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure: the helical body provides both the anchoring function in tissue and the threaded engagement with the compressible coil spring. The flange/tab serves dual purposes as both a structural element and the locking feature that engages with the housing
Solution Approach 2:
The self-locking mechanism uses the inherent mechanical properties of the compressible spring and the geometry of the flange/tab to automatically secure the anchor in the housing, eliminating the need for separate locking actuators or complex control systems
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 anchoring assembly provides improved anchor affixation and retention, ensuring secure attachment to the heart tissue despite anatomical variations, reducing the risk of anchor backout and enhancing the integrity and efficacy of the implant.
Implementation Method 1
The proximal portion of the anchor coil may include a compressible coil that is coupled to the distal tip of the anchor head
Implementation Method 2
the threaded portion of the bore interacting with the anchor coil to provide axial translation of the anchor through the bore
Data Source
AI summary
A spring loaded, self-locking anchoring assembly converts a drive force, administered to an anchor of the anchoring assembly, to one or both of an axial translation force or a compression force. The axial translation force may be used to drive the anchor into tissue, while the compression force may be used to further draw together anchor components and tissue, and/or to lock together anchor components, to improve anchor efficacy in the presence of anatomical variations.