Subcutaneous Device Anchoring Arms Prong
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional implantable medical devices, such as cardiac monitors and pacemakers, require invasive surgeries for implantation and often involve complex procedures for positioning and anchoring, which can be traumatic and risky for patients.
Innovation Solution
A subcutaneous device with anchoring arms and a prong that can be anchored to muscle, bone, or tissue, allowing for non-invasive injection and positioning near organs or nerves, enabling monitoring, diagnostic, and therapeutic functions without the need for complex surgical procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional implantable medical devices are used, then reliable monitoring and therapeutic functions are achieved, but invasive surgery and complex anchoring procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a housing containing electronics, anchoring arms for securing the device, and a separate prong for organ contact. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall implantation process while maintaining reliable monitoring and therapeutic functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The prong acts as an intermediary element that connects the housing (containing electronics) to the organ (such as the heart). This intermediary structure enables electrical signal transmission and therapeutic stimulation without requiring direct connection between the housing and the organ, thereby simplifying the implantation procedure.
2Reliability
If traditional invasive implantation methods are used, then secure device anchoring is achieved, but patient trauma and procedural risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is separated from the main housing through dedicated anchoring arms with tines. These arms can be independently deployed to engage with surrounding tissue, providing secure anchoring while minimizing trauma to the patient by distributing mechanical stress across multiple attachment points rather than requiring a single large incision or complex surgical fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring arms feature localized structural characteristics (tines with specific geometries) that are optimized for tissue engagement. This local quality allows the device to achieve secure anchoring in specific regions without requiring invasive procedures throughout the entire implantation site, thereby reducing overall patient trauma.
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 device provides a less invasive method for implantation and positioning, reducing patient trauma and procedural complexity while maintaining effective monitoring and therapeutic capabilities, such as regulating heart rates and delivering electrical stimulation.
Implementation Method 1
Circuitry in the housing is in electrical communication with the first electrode and is configured to sense an electrical signal from the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue through the first electrode
Implementation Method 2
deliver electrical stimulation to the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue through the first electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A subcutaneously implantable device includes a housing, a first anchoring arm attached to the housing that is configured to anchor the device to a muscle, a bone, and/or a first tissue, and a first prong with a proximal end attached to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing that is configured to be positioned adjacent to or contact an organ, a nerve, or a second tissue. A first electrode is on the distal end of the first prong that is configured to contact the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue. Circuitry in the housing is in electrical communication with the first electrode and is configured to sense an electrical signal from the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue through the first electrode, and/or deliver electrical stimulation to the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue through the first electrode.