Tissue Marker System for Sheet-Like Implant Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating partial thickness tears in the supraspinatus tendon during arthroscopic procedures are inadequate, as they fail to effectively position and attach sheet-like implants, leading to incomplete repair and potential for further tendon damage, necessitating additional surgeries.
Innovation Solution
A tissue marker system and implant delivery system that includes a guidewire and implant spreader assembly, allowing for precise positioning and deployment of sheet-like implants within the tendon, using markers to ensure proper alignment and attachment without interfering with the biceps tendon, and utilizing a guidewire to secure the implant in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If current methods are used to treat partial thickness tears in the supraspinatus tendon during arthroscopic procedures, then the procedure can be performed, but the implant cannot be effectively positioned and attached, leading to incomplete repair
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces markers as intermediary elements that are inserted into the tendon tissue to serve as reference points for implant positioning. These markers act as mediators between the surgeon's positioning attempts and the actual implant placement, enabling precise alignment. The markers provide visual references that facilitate accurate positioning of the implant relative to the tendon structure, directly resolving the positioning precision problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by inserting markers into the tendon tissue before attempting to position and attach the implant. These markers are placed in advance to establish reference points that guide subsequent implant positioning. By preparing the positioning references beforehand, the surgeon can accurately place the implant without trial-and-error adjustments, ensuring complete and reliable repair.
2Measurement precision
If markers are inserted to identify anatomical locations, then proper alignment can be achieved, but the complexity of the procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the positioning task into discrete steps: first inserting markers at specific anatomical locations, then using these markers as references for implant alignment. By breaking down the complex positioning problem into smaller, manageable components (individual markers at key locations), the procedure becomes more systematic and controllable, achieving high alignment accuracy without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The markers are designed with visual characteristics (such as color or reflectivity) that make them easily detectable during arthroscopic visualization. This visual enhancement allows surgeons to quickly identify and use the markers for alignment without requiring complex measurement tools or procedures, maintaining procedural simplicity while achieving precise alignment.
3Reliability
If a guidewire is used to secure the implant, then the implant placement becomes more secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the guidewire function with the existing marker system. The guidewire is inserted through or alongside the markers, combining the positioning reference function of the markers with the anchoring function of the guidewire. This integration allows the implant to be securely positioned using a unified system rather than separate, complex devices, achieving reliable implant security without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A tissue marker assembly which can be useful with an implant delivery system for delivering a sheet-like implant is disclosed. The tissue marker assembly can include a delivery sleeve with a tissue marker slidably disposed within a lumen therethrough. A proximal handle can be coupled to the tissue marker and delivery sleeve, having a first part and a second part. The second part of the proximal handle can be releasably attached to the tissue marker proximal end so that the second part can be removed to allow the delivery sleeve to be removed proximally over the tissue marker after it is affixed to tissue. The distal portion of the marker can include a plurality of longitudinally extending arms when unconstrained project outward from the shaft to retain the marker's position in tissue.