Tissue Fastener Assembly with Flexible Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tissue fixation devices face challenges in deploying fasteners accurately and securely in confined spaces, such as the gastroesophageal junction, due to limited maneuverability and the fragility of esophageal tissue, leading to complications in treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Innovation Solution
A fastener assembly comprising a first member, a second member, and a flexible connecting member, with a deployment wire that guides the fastener through tissue and a guide structure to orient the second member relative to the first member, ensuring precise placement and secure fixation without traumatizing the tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional tissue fixation devices are used in confined spaces, then deployment maneuverability is limited, but deployment precision is required to avoid tissue trauma
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into multiple members (first member, second member, third member) connected by flexible connecting members, allowing each segment to navigate confined spaces independently while maintaining overall structural integrity for precise deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connecting members enable the fastener to bend and conform to the curved anatomy of the gastroesophageal junction, providing maneuverability in confined spaces while the rigid members ensure precise positioning and secure tissue fixation
2Reliability
If fasteners are deployed in confined spaces, then secure fixation is challenging, but tissue trauma must be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment wire is inserted into the tissue tract first to create a safe pathway, followed by advancement of the fastener members along the wire. This preliminary action ensures the wire guides the fastener through the tissue, securing fixation while minimizing trauma by preventing uncontrolled tissue penetration
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment wire acts as an intermediary tool that facilitates fastener deployment through confined tissue spaces. The wire's presence provides a controlled pathway, allowing secure fastener placement while the flexible connecting members ensure the fastener conforms to tissue geometry, reducing trauma risk
Data Source
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AI summary
A tissue fastener assembly delivers a fastener for deployment . The assembly includes a fastener including a first member, a second member, the first and second members having first and second ends, and a flexible connecting member fixed to each of the first and second members intermediate the first and second ends and extending between the first and second members. The first member has a longitudinal axis and a through channel along the axis. The assembly further includes a deployment wire slidingly received within the through channel of the first member that pierces into the tissue and guides the first member through the tissue, a guide structure defining a lumen that receives the fastener and deployment wire and guides the deployment wire and fastener to the tissue, and a fastener configuration structure that orientates the second member in a predetermined position relative to the first member within the lumen for dependable deployment .