Variable Force Fastener Delivery Tool for Rotator Cuff Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical procedures lack effective methods for repairing partial thickness tears in the rotator cuff tendons, leading to further damage and discomfort, and there is a need for improved tools to deliver and position medical implants during arthroscopic procedures for soft tissue injuries.
Innovation Solution
A fastener delivery tool with a sheath assembly and handle assembly that provides varying force multipliers for precise deployment of staples or fasteners into bone or tissue, allowing for the secure attachment of tendon repair implants, and a method for deploying these fasteners using a position retention sleeve and pilot hole forming assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current medical procedures are used for rotator cuff repair, then the procedure can be performed, but effective repair of partial thickness tears is not achieved leading to further damage and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot hole forming assembly creates pilot holes in the bone before staple deployment, preparing the insertion path in advance to ensure accurate and secure fastener placement for tendon repair
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system is divided into separate functional modules including sheath assembly, handle assembly, pilot hole forming assembly, and fastener delivery tool, allowing each component to perform its specific function optimally in the repair process
2Manufacturing precision
If a fastener delivery tool with varying force multipliers is used, then precise deployment of fasteners is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trigger handle mechanism provides dynamic force multiplication where the ratio of output force to input force varies during the triggering sequence, allowing precise control of fastener deployment with a single actuation motion
Solution Approach 2:
The cam follower acts as an intermediary mechanical element that translates trigger handle motion into controlled fastener deployment, mediating the force transmission between the user's input and the fastener insertion action
3Measurement precision
If position retention members are placed at the distal end of the sheath assembly, then accurate positioning of the implant is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Position retention members are pre-positioned at the distal end of the sheath assembly to maintain accurate implant positioning before fastener deployment, ensuring proper placement is established in advance
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
Enables secure attachment of tendon repair implants to the rotator cuff tendons, preventing further damage and promoting healing by providing a mechanical advantage for staple deployment, thus addressing the limitations of existing procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a spring connected to the housing and the trigger handle, wherein the spring biases the trigger handle to the rest position
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
Data Source
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.