Triple-Grind Bevel Needle for Safe Implant Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for percutaneous implantation lack effective methods for safely advancing implants close to nerve tissue and testing potential implantation sites, posing risks of injury to nerves and adjacent tissues.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a hollow needle with lateral openings and a triple-grind bevel at the distal end, allowing the implant to transition through discrete states for safe delivery and testing, including a first state where the implant is housed, a second state where the distal portion is exposed, and a third state where the implant is fully outside the needle, along with a method for iteratively adjusting power levels for tissue response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the implant is advanced directly to the target site without intermediate states, then the delivery process is simpler and faster, but the safety of advancing implants close to nerve tissue is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery process is segmented into three distinct states: (1) implant entirely housed by needle, (2) distal portion exposed with antenna aligned with lateral openings, and (3) implant entirely outside needle. This segmentation allows controlled progression and testing at each stage, improving safety near nerve tissue while managing complexity through structured phases
Solution Approach 2:
The implant is positioned and tested in intermediate states before final deployment. The antenna is aligned with lateral openings in state 2 to enable wireless power transfer and testing of tissue response before complete implantation, allowing preliminary verification of safety and effectiveness
2Measurement precision
If the implant is tested at multiple power levels iteratively, then the accuracy of implant placement and tissue response assessment is improved, but the time required for implantation procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The implantation procedure uses periodic action by iteratively adjusting power levels (first power level, then second power level) and assessing tissue response at each stage. This allows systematic evaluation of neural tissue response while maintaining procedural efficiency through structured repeated measurements
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna is kept proximally from lateral openings during advancement, then wireless power transfer is prevented during insertion, but the ability to test implant positions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic positioning of the antenna relative to lateral openings. In state 1, antenna is proximally positioned to prevent power transfer during insertion. In state 2, antenna is aligned with lateral openings to enable wireless power transfer and testing. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both safety during insertion and functionality during testing
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus is provided for facilitating percutaneous delivery of an implant to a target site of a body of a subject. The apparatus includes a delivery tool that includes a needle that defines a lumen through which the implant passes. The needle has a proximal end and a distal end, and defines a triple-grind bevel at the distal end. The triple-grind bevel defines a primary grind and two side-grinds. The side-grinds do not extend to meet each other to define a point at a distal-most part of the needle. Other embodiments are also described.