Self-Stopping Tissue Anchor Clutch for Torque-Limited Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tissue anchors lack control over the magnitude and depth of torque applied during anchoring, potentially leading to overtightening or damage to tissue.
Innovation Solution
The tissue anchor features a crown with a driver interface, socket, and anchor head that transitions between torque-transfer and non-torque-transfer states, limited by a slip clutch or spring mechanism, to control the torque and depth of insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If torque is increased to ensure secure anchoring of the tissue anchor into tissue, then anchoring strength is improved, but tissue damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a slip clutch mechanism that automatically adjusts the torque parameter during anchoring. When the torque exceeds a predetermined threshold, the slip clutch engages to limit further torque transmission, thereby preventing tissue damage while ensuring adequate anchoring strength through controlled torque application.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip clutch mechanism provides real-time feedback control on torque application. As torque is applied during anchoring, the slip clutch monitors the torque level and automatically activates to prevent excessive torque, creating a self-regulating system that balances anchoring strength with tissue protection.
2Reliability
If torque is increased to ensure secure anchoring of the tissue anchor into tissue, then anchoring reliability is improved, but overtightening risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slip clutch mechanism dynamically controls the torque parameter during the anchoring process. By setting a predetermined torque threshold, the system ensures reliable anchoring through sufficient torque while automatically preventing overtightening when the threshold is exceeded, thus maintaining anchoring reliability without harmful overtightening effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The slip clutch provides continuous feedback control during torque application, monitoring the anchoring process in real-time and automatically limiting torque to prevent overtightening while ensuring adequate anchoring reliability through controlled torque transmission.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple anchor design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but control over torque application is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The slip clutch mechanism is integrated within the crown structure of the tissue anchor, with the pawl and ratchet components nested within the existing anchor geometry. This nesting approach allows torque control functionality to be added without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity, as the control mechanism shares structural elements with the anchor body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the anchoring function and torque control function into a single integrated structure. The crown serves both as the anchoring interface and as the housing for the slip clutch mechanism, merging multiple functions into one component to maintain manufacturing simplicity while adding torque control capability.
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 design limits the risk of overtightening and tissue damage by adjusting torque application, ensuring secure anchoring while preventing excessive force on the tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed between the anchor head and the tissue-facing surface. Pulling the anchor head distally out of the socket and towards the tissue-facing surface can compress the spring between the anchor head and the tissue-facing surface
Implementation Method 2
further screwing of the anchor can pull the anchor head distally out of the socket (e.g., towards the tissue-facing surface), such that the tissue anchor transitions from the torque-transfer state to the non-torque-transfer state, thereby limiting the distal force applied by the tissue-facing surface to the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Using a driver, a tissue anchor is advanced to a tissue of a subject. The tissue anchor includes an anchoring portion, an anchor head fixedly coupled to the anchoring portion, and a driver interface. The anchoring portion is screwed distally into the tissue by, while the driver is engaged with the driver interface, applying torque, via the driver, to the driver interface such that the anchor head and the anchoring portion rotate together about a longitudinal axis of the tissue anchor. Continued screwing of the anchoring portion distally into the tissue is performed by continuing to apply the torque at least until the driver interface becomes rotatable relative to the anchor head. Subsequently, the driver is disengaged from the driver interface and removed from the subject, while leaving the tissue anchor anchored to the tissue. Other embodiments are also described.