Tissue Anchor With Threaded Rod Mechanism for Uniform Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for anchoring catheters or access ports within tissue often result in tissue cutting or tearing due to non-uniform and discontinuous deployment, which complicates precise positioning during minimally invasive surgical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A tissue anchoring apparatus featuring a housing with a wheel and threaded rod system that allows for the uniform and continuous deployment of anchoring members through a needle, minimizing tissue trauma by aligning and positioning them with a beveled needle configuration, enabling precise anchoring without cutting or tearing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional anchoring devices are used to secure catheters or access ports within tissue, then anchoring function is achieved, but tissue cutting or tearing occurs due to non-uniform and discontinuous deployment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoidtissue trauma
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous deployment of anchoring members through a threaded rod mechanism that advances multiple anchors uniformly along the catheter shaft. As the threaded rod rotates, it continuously pushes anchoring members through the catheter wall in a controlled, uniform manner rather than discrete intermittent deployment, eliminating tissue cutting and tearing while maintaining reliable anchoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring system divides the anchoring function into multiple separate anchoring members distributed along the catheter shaft. Each anchoring member is independently deployed through the threaded rod mechanism, allowing uniform distribution of anchoring force across multiple tissue penetration points rather than concentrated force at single points, thereby reducing tissue trauma.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If multiple anchoring members are deployed to improve anchoring reliability, then anchoring stability is enhanced, but deployment uniformity and positioning precision deteriorate due to manual or discontinuous deployment methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchoring stabilityVSAvoiddeployment uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded rod mechanism provides continuous rotational motion that uniformly advances multiple anchoring members along the catheter shaft. This continuous action ensures equal spacing and uniform deployment depth for each anchoring member, achieving precise positioning and uniform deployment while maintaining anchoring reliability through multiple distributed anchors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual or discontinuous deployment mechanisms with a threaded rod screw mechanism that converts rotational motion into precise linear advancement. This mechanical substitution provides controlled, uniform, and repeatable deployment of anchoring members with high positioning precision, eliminating variability associated with manual deployment methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a simple pusher mechanism is used for anchor deployment, then device complexity is reduced, but deployment control and positioning precision are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment mechanismVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the simple pusher mechanism by incorporating a threaded rod that converts rotational motion from a control wheel into precise linear advancement. This mechanical substitution provides fine control over deployment distance and positioning precision while maintaining relatively simple device architecture, achieving high positioning precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The threaded rod acts as an intermediary mechanism between the control wheel and the anchoring members. It translates rotational input from the operator into controlled linear motion for anchor deployment, providing mechanical advantage and precise positioning control. This intermediary mechanism enhances positioning precision while keeping the overall device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 apparatus achieves precise and uniform anchoring, reducing tissue trauma and ensuring stable positioning for subsequent therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, thereby enhancing the efficiency of minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Implementation Method 1

A threaded rod is engaged with and is attached to the wheel, the rod includes a first threaded section and a second threaded section. The threaded rod may be extended through the center or off-of-the center of the wheel.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4021337B1Tissue anchor
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 JANSSEN BIOTECH INC
  • EP4021337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4021337B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4021337B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An apparatus for an image guided medical device, in at least one embodiment, provides uniform and continuous positioning of anchoring members to minimize or eliminate undesired tissue cutting or tearing. The apparatus includes a housing (40), a needle casing at least partially disposed in the housing and an anchor casing disposed at least partially disposed within the housing. A wheel (60) is disposed within the housing and is operatively engaged with and positioned between the needle casing and the anchor casing. An anchor assembly includes a tube with a proximal end coupled to the anchor casing and a distal end having an anchoring device (27). As the wheel (60) is rotated, the needle casing is drawn towards the wheel thereby retracting the needle and, simultaneously, the anchor casing is drawn toward the wheel thereby pushing the anchor assembly through the needle. The relative movement of the needle and the anchor assembly exposes an anchor member (27) in a uniform and continuous fashion.