Trigger-Actuated Tissue Anchor Deployment With Suture Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical procedures for deploying tissue anchors in internal anatomy face challenges related to efficacy and user experience, particularly in minimally-invasive procedures for heart valve repair, where existing devices lack efficient suture tension management and deployment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tissue anchor deployment device with an elongate shaft and a trigger-type actuator is used to facilitate precise deployment of tissue anchors, including suture tension management, utilizing a rack-and-pinion actuation system for needle puncture and deployment of suture-knot-type anchors, suitable for minimally-invasive procedures such as beating-heart mitral valve repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a trigger-type actuator with rack-and-pinion system is used for tissue anchor deployment, then deployment precision and suture tension management are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical deployment with an automated rack-and-pinion actuation system driven by a trigger mechanism. This mechanical substitution provides precise control over needle advancement and tissue anchor deployment while maintaining a relatively compact device structure suitable for minimally invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The trigger-type actuator introduces dynamic control to the deployment process, allowing the operator to precisely control the timing and speed of needle advancement and suture tensioning. The rack-and-pinion mechanism converts the trigger's rotational motion into linear advancement, providing controlled dynamic deployment rather than static or purely manual advancement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimally-invasive procedures are performed for heart valve repair, then patient trauma is reduced, but device access and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a nested structure where the needle, suture, and tissue anchor are contained within the catheter shaft. The needle can advance through the shaft, deploy the anchor, and then retract, all while maintaining a compact profile for minimally invasive access. This nesting allows complex functionality to be delivered through a small-access delivery system.
Solution Approach 2:
The catheter shaft acts as an intermediary that guides and protects the deployment components during minimally invasive access. The shaft provides a controlled environment for needle advancement and suture deployment, mediating between the operator's external control and the internal deployment mechanics, thereby simplifying the overall operation despite the complexity of the deployment sequence.
3Reliability
If suture tension management is integrated into the deployment device, then anchor fixation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated deployment sequence: needle advancement, tissue anchor deployment, and suture tensioning are all controlled by the single trigger mechanism. This consolidation of functions through the rack-and-pinion system provides reliable fixation while avoiding the need for separate, additional mechanisms that would increase overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suture is pre-positioned and pre-tensioned through the rack-and-pinion mechanism during the deployment sequence. The trigger actuation automatically tensions the suture as the needle advances and the anchor deploys, ensuring proper fixation tension is applied immediately upon deployment without requiring separate manual tensioning steps.
Data Source
AI summary
Medical instruments and related actuation mechanisms are disclosed. In various examples, a medical instrument includes a handle and a suture lock configured to selectively secure a portion of a suture line relative to the handle. The suture lock is transitionable between a locked position, in which the suture line is fixed, and an unlocked position, in which the suture line is releasable, by way of a manually actuatable actuator associated with the handle. In some examples, a medical instrument includes a manually pressable trigger actuator carrying a first rack, a carrier including a second rack, and a pinion gear simultaneously engaged with the first and second racks to coordinate movement of the trigger actuator and the carrier. A drive rod is coupled to the carrier, and an instrument hub is detachably coupled to the drive rod to support operation of an associated medical instrument.