Trigger Handle Mechanism for Medical Implant Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures lack effective methods for repairing partial thickness tears in the rotator cuff tendons, particularly those less than 50% in the supraspinatus tendon, and for delivering and positioning medical implants during arthroscopic procedures to treat soft tissue or tendon injuries.

Innovation Solution

The development of a fastener delivery tool with a sheath assembly and handle assembly, which includes a trigger handle mechanism that imparts varying forces on an insert connector, allowing for precise deployment of fasteners into bone, and a method for deploying fasteners that involves positioning retention members and pilot hole forming members to securely attach implants to bone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a trigger handle mechanism with varying force ranges is used, then the precision of fastener deployment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of fastener deploymentVSAvoidcomplexity of delivery tool

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The trigger handle mechanism employs dynamic force multiplication where the mechanical advantage changes during the squeezing motion. As the user squeezes the trigger handle, the force applied to the insert connector varies through different ranges, allowing precise control during initial deployment and stronger force during final seating of the fastener.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an insert connector as an intermediary component between the trigger handle and the fastener. This connector translates the varying forces from the trigger handle into controlled deployment actions, mediating between user input and fastener insertion to achieve precision without requiring direct manual manipulation of the fastener.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If position retention members are used to secure the sheath assembly, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracy of implantVSAvoidease of delivery tool operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Position retention members are pre-configured on the sheath assembly to automatically engage with anatomical landmarks or guide structures during insertion. This preliminary positioning action occurs before the surgeon needs to make fine adjustments, ensuring accurate placement while minimizing the complexity of manual positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If varying force ranges are applied to the insert connector, then the reliability of fastener attachment is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of fastener attachmentVSAvoidenergy required for fastener deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables precise and effective delivery and positioning of medical implants, enhancing the repair of rotator cuff tendon injuries by providing a method to securely attach implants to bone, thereby addressing the limitations of current procedures.

Implementation Method 1

the fastener delivery tool further comprises a spring connected to the housing and the trigger handle, wherein the spring biases the trigger handle to the rest position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the trigger handle imparts force on the insert connector through the cam follower when the trigger handle is displaced from the rest position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS20250152167A1Medical implant delivery system and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 ROTATION MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A fastener delivery tool may comprise a sheath assembly having at least one position retention member proximate a distal end of the sheath assembly, and a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the sheath assembly, the handle assembly comprising a housing, a trigger handle, and an insert connector. An external force applied to the trigger handle may cause displacement of the trigger handle relative to a rest position, and displacement of the trigger handle from the rest position within a first displacement range may impart a first amount of force on the insert connector relative to the applied external force and displacement of the trigger handle from the rest position within a second displacement range may impart a second amount of force on the insert connector relative to the applied external force, with the first amount of force being greater than the second amount of force.