Tissue Anchor Deployment via Pivotable Catheter
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surgical methods for gastrointestinal disorders, such as morbid obesity, face challenges in securely anchoring tissue folds within the gastrointestinal lumen due to the need to engage the muscularis or serosa layers, require extensive training, and involve time-consuming procedures with potential complications like tissue puncture and anchor slippage.
Innovation Solution
A flexible catheter-based tissue manipulation assembly with pivotable jaw members and a launch tube mechanism allows for endoluminal access and secure anchoring of tissue folds by deploying anchors through the muscularis and serosa layers, facilitating quick and confident procedures with minimal tissue trauma.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sewing devices are used to suture the stomach wall into folds, then tissue plication can be achieved, but the procedure requires extensive training and is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical sewing devices and suturing techniques with a specialized anchor deployment system. The device uses a controlled mechanism to insert anchors through the stomach wall tissue and secure them on the outer surface, eliminating the need for complex suturing maneuvers that require extensive training while maintaining reliable tissue plication.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the critical anchoring function from the complex suturing process. By using pre-formed anchors that are deployed through a simplified delivery system, the patent separates the tissue engagement function from the time-consuming knot-tying and suture-manipulation steps, thereby reducing procedural complexity and training requirements.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If anchors are placed transesophageally to avoid puncturing adjacent tissue, then tissue trauma is reduced, but it becomes difficult to engage the muscularis or serosa layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized delivery device as an intermediary between the operator and the tissue. This device provides controlled tissue engagement through a jaw mechanism that can grasp and position the stomach wall, allowing anchors to be inserted through the muscularis and serosa layers transesophageally without requiring direct manual manipulation that could cause uncontrolled punctures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary tissue engagement and positioning before anchor insertion. The delivery device first grasps the tissue fold, positions it correctly, and then deploys the anchor through the pre-positioned tissue, ensuring reliable engagement of the muscularis and serosa layers while minimizing the risk of inadvertent puncture of adjacent structures.
3Reliability
If conventional staples or sutures are used, then tissue can be secured, but they may tear through the tissue due to concentrated force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing anchors with a specific geometry that distributes force locally around the anchor shaft rather than concentrating it at a single point. The anchor's barbed or flared structure engages the tissue along a segment of its length, spreading the securing force across multiple tissue fibers and preventing the concentrated stress that causes conventional staples or sutures to tear through.
4Ease of operation
If tissue plication is performed endoscopically, then procedural access is improved, but the time required for anchor placement and securement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated device. The delivery system combines tissue grasping, fold formation, anchor insertion, and securement release mechanisms in one endoscopically deliverable device. This consolidation allows all plication steps to be performed through a single endoscopic access point without requiring multiple intubations or separate procedural steps, thereby maintaining ease of access while reducing overall procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary preparation of the tissue fold and anchor positioning before final deployment. The device pre-forms the tissue fold and positions the anchor within the grasped tissue, so that when the release mechanism is activated, the anchor is already optimally positioned for immediate securement. This preliminary action eliminates time-consuming adjustment steps during the actual anchor deployment phase.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for securing and deploying tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member. A reconfigurable launch tube is also pivotably coupled to the tissue manipulation assembly, which may be advanced through a shape-lockable endoscopic device, a conventional endoscope, or directly by itself into a patient. A second tool can be used in combination with the tissue manipulation assembly to engage tissue and manipulate the tissue in conjunction with the tissue manipulation assembly. A deployment assembly is provided for securing engaged tissue via one or more tissue anchors, the deployment assembly also being configured to disengage the anchors endoluminally or laparoscopically by applying thermal energy through at least one suture cutting element disposed along the deployment assembly.