Surgical Pusher Deploys Multiple Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing surgical devices for repairing musculoskeletal injuries, such as meniscus tears, are complex and costly due to their numerous component parts, making them difficult to manufacture and use efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A surgical device featuring a cannula and a pusher that deploys multiple implants using a single mechanism, where the pusher moves distally to deploy the first implant and moves additional implants from a standby position to a deploy position within the cannula, reducing the number of components and simplifying the deployment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple implants are deployed using separate mechanisms in prior devices, then each implant can be deployed independently, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple implant deployment functions into a single integrated pusher mechanism. The pusher simultaneously deploys both the first implant and the second implant through unified movement, eliminating the need for separate deployment mechanisms for each implant. This merging of functions directly reduces component parts while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pusher mechanism serves multiple functions: it deploys the first implant, deploys the second implant, and positions both implants relative to each other. This multi-functional design allows one component to perform what previously required multiple separate mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If prior devices use numerous component parts to deploy multiple implants, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but manufacturing difficulty increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple deployment components into a single pusher assembly that handles both implants. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts that need to be manufactured, assembled, and quality-checked, thereby easing manufacturing while maintaining reliable deployment through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
While merging functions, the pusher is designed with segmented features including a first engagement feature for the first implant and a second engagement feature for the second implant. This segmentation within the unified structure allows each implant to be independently engaged and deployed reliably, while the overall manufacturing process is simplified compared to having completely separate mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If a single pusher deploys multiple implants, then the number of component parts is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the deployment sequence must be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher is pre-configured with multiple engagement features positioned at specific locations along its length. The first engagement feature is positioned to engage the first implant, and the second engagement feature is positioned to engage the second implant. This preliminary arrangement of engagement features ensures that as the pusher moves, implants are deployed in the correct sequence without requiring complex active control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The pusher mechanism allows dynamic interaction between the engagement features and implants during deployment. As the pusher moves distally, engagement features sequentially engage and release implants based on their positions, enabling automatic sequence control through the mechanical dynamics of the system rather than requiring precise external control.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a surgical method for deploying implants for repairing damaged tissue, such as meniscus tears. One exemplary surgical device for use in the method includes a cannula and a pusher moveable within the cannula to deploy a plurality of implants. Movement of the pusher in the distal direction deploys a distal-most implant and moves any additional implants distally within the cannula. Thus, multiple implants can be loaded into the cannula and deployed using one pusher. The disclosed arrangement is easy to use and has fewer component parts compared to prior devices, which in turn increases the ease of manufacture and reduces cost.