Thread Locking Mechanism for Percutaneous Valve Implants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices for percutaneous valve repair and replacement lack effective mechanisms for securely anchoring threads to tissue and locking intrabody implants in place.
Innovation Solution
The development of a thread and tissue anchor system where the tissue anchor includes a proximal portion with appendages and strips that expand radially to form loops, securely anchoring the thread to tissue, and a lock body with a rotatable element that grips the thread upon rotation, maintaining the implant's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tissue anchor with radially expandable strips and appendages is used to anchor thread to tissue, then the anchoring reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tissue anchor is segmented into multiple functional components: a body portion, multiple radially expandable strips, and multiple appendages. This segmentation allows each component to perform a specific anchoring function, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor employs dynamic radially expandable strips and appendages that transition from a compressed delivery state to an expanded anchored state. This dynamic transformation enables the anchor to adapt to tissue geometry and achieve secure anchoring without requiring multiple separate components
2Stability of the object's composition
If a lock body with rotatable element is used to grip thread and lock implant in place, then the stability of implant positioning is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body replaces complex multi-component mechanical locking systems with a simplified rotatable element mechanism. The rotatable element, when rotated, engages with the thread through friction and geometric interlocking, achieving stable implant positioning with fewer parts and reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable element of the lock body is designed to self-grip the thread through its own rotation motion. The rotation maintains the implant position through self-sustaining frictional contact and geometric constraints, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or components
3Reliability
If radially expandable strips form loops at distal side of tissue to prevent migration, then the anchoring reliability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strips are designed with specific geometric parameters including circumferential angles of at least 5 degrees between proximal and distal ends. These parameter specifications ensure that when the strips expand radially, they naturally form stable loops at the distal side of tissue, achieving reliable anchoring with defined manufacturing tolerances
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 provides a secure anchoring mechanism for threads to tissue, preventing migration of the anchor or thread, and effectively locks intrabody implants in place, ensuring stability and preventing displacement.
Implementation Method 1
the appendages expanding radially, and the strips expanding radially to form respective loops at a distal side of the tissue
Implementation Method 2
The tissue anchor includes a proximal portion, shaped to define one or more appendages, a distal portion, and a plurality of strips joining the proximal portion to the distal portion
Implementation Method 3
a lock body with a rotatable element that grips the thread upon rotation, maintaining the implant's position
Data Source
AI summary
A method for locking an intrabody implant over a thread passing through the implant. The method includes advancing a lock body, which includes at least one rotatable element, to the implant over the thread. Subsequently to advancing the lock body to the implant, the rotatable element is rotated such that the lock body grips the thread proximally to the implant.