Worm Drive Delivery Device for Soft Tissue Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tendon repair methods face high failure rates due to overloading at the repair site, leading to adhesion formation, gap formation, and tendon rupture, primarily because they lack sufficient strength and durability during rehabilitation, and require complex and time-consuming surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A delivery device system that includes a worm drive mechanism, thumb wheel, and finger element to precisely apply anchors to soft tissue, ensuring secure fixation and controlled force distribution, along with a deployment mechanism that uses a handle and trigger for manual deployment, and a stroke regulator for regulated movement, facilitating the secure attachment of repair devices to soft tissue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex suture patterns are used for tendon repair, then initial repair strength is improved, but surgical time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repair system is segmented into modular components including separate anchors, sutures, and fixation devices that can be independently prepared and then quickly assembled during surgery, eliminating the need for complex inoperative suture patterns
Solution Approach 2:
Anchors and fixation devices are prepared and positioned before the actual tendon repair is performed, allowing the surgeon to complete the repair more quickly without compromising initial strength
2Strength
If complex suture patterns are used for soft tissue fixation, then initial fixation strength is improved, but surgical complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex suture tying and knot-tinging operations are extracted from the surgical procedure and replaced with pre-fabricated anchors and fixation devices that provide equivalent or superior strength through mechanical means rather than complex suturing
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation devices are designed to be self-anchoring or self-locking, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation and specialized surgical techniques to achieve secure fixation
3Ease of operation
If early post-operative mobilization is implemented, then tendon function restoration is improved, but adhesion formation and repair failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The repair construct is designed with inherent protection mechanisms including distributed load-bearing anchors and flexible fixation elements that cushion and absorb stresses during early mobilization, preventing adhesion formation while maintaining repair integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled motion and flexibility during early rehabilitation, enabling tendon gliding and mobilization without compromising the structural integrity of the repair
4Ease of operation
If passive motion therapy is used to reduce adhesion, then adhesion formation is reduced, but gap formation and tendon rupture risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation system changes the mechanical parameters of the repair construct by using anchors and fixation devices with optimized strength characteristics that can withstand passive motion therapy forces without causing gap formation or tendon rupture
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
The system enhances tendon repair by reducing adhesion formation, improving repair strength, and minimizing the risk of rupture, while simplifying the surgical process with a more efficient and precise method for attaching soft tissue to bone, thereby promoting effective healing and rehabilitation.
Implementation Method 1
The worm drive is positioned within the housing. The thumb wheel is disposed around the worm drive such that the thumb wheel is configured to be rotated to linearly move the worm drive with threads defined in at least one of the worm drive and the thumb wheel.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems and/or methods for repairing soft tissue adjacent a repair site. In one embodiment, a repair device is delivered with a delivery device system configured to move a cartridge with the repair device disposed therein toward an anvil with soft tissue positioned thereon. The delivery device linearly moves the cartridge toward the anvil with a worm drive positioned within a housing by rotating a thumb wheel disposed around the worm drive. Such linear movement is provided with a finger element extending from the worm drive that is configured to cooperate with an internal surface of the thumb wheel. With this arrangement, upon rotating the thumb wheel, the worm drive rotates with the finger element engaged with the internal surface of the thumb wheel to linearly move the cartridge toward the anvil.