Woven Tissue Anchor with Foreshortened Flanges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tissue anchors are either too rigid, risking tissue necrosis and adhesion, or too weak, allowing leakage and movement at the site of tissue penetration, and lack the ability to be easily delivered and removed endoscopically for various medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

A tissue anchor comprising a woven filament braid, typically made from super-elastic or shape memory metal wires, which can be foreshortened to form double-walled flange structures for secure tissue attachment, and is designed to be delivered endoscopically with optional membranes to prevent tissue ingrowth and facilitate removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rigid tissue anchors are used, then firm attachment of tissue layers is achieved, but tissue necrosis and adhesion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidtissue necrosis risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tissue anchor employs a flexible membrane structure that can conform to tissue surfaces while maintaining attachment strength. The membrane is designed to distribute pressure evenly across the tissue interface, preventing localized necrosis while maintaining firm anchoring. This flexible membrane approach resolves the contradiction by providing both strength and tissue compatibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor structure incorporates adjustable parameters such as membrane stiffness, anchoring element geometry, and deployment configuration that can be optimized to balance attachment strength with tissue protection. By varying these parameters, the system achieves firm attachment without excessive pressure concentration that would cause necrosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If weak tissue anchors are used, then tissue damage risk is minimized, but leakage and movement at penetration site occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetissue damage riskVSAvoidsealing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane structure adapts to tissue movements and deformations, maintaining sealing contact without requiring excessive anchoring force. This flexibility allows the anchor to remain secure against leakage while minimizing damage risk by avoiding rigid, high-force anchoring mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor design incorporates dynamic elements that allow movement and adjustment in response to tissue deformation. This dynamic capability maintains sealing reliability under varying physiological conditions without requiring overly strong, potentially damaging anchoring forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If expandable cage structures are used, then tissue anchoring capability is improved, but device complexity and delivery difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane structure provides anchoring capability through controlled deformation and tissue engagement rather than rigid expandable cages. This approach achieves effective anchoring with significantly reduced structural complexity and more straightforward delivery mechanics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Duration of action of stationary object

If permanent tissue anchors are used, then long-term tissue securing is achieved, but removal capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment durationVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The anchor incorporates reversible attachment mechanisms that maintain secure fixation during the desired attachment period but allow controlled removal when needed. The dynamic design enables the anchor to transition between secured and removable states, providing both long-term stability and eventual removability.

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

The tissue anchor provides a secure attachment of tissue layers while minimizing the risk of necrosis and damage, allowing for both initial and subsequent removal, and is suitable for a wide range of body lumens and procedures.

Implementation Method 1

A tissue anchor comprising a body formed from a woven filament braid, typically made from super-elastic or shape memory metal wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShape memory: Shape Memory Alloy

Implementation Method 2

typically made from super-elastic or shape memory metal wires

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuper-elasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10076330B2Tissue anchor for securing tissue layers

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Tissue anchors comprise a woven filament braid body having an elongated tubular configuration and a foreshortened configuration where proximal and distal ends of the body expand radially into double-walled flange structures while leaving a cylindrical saddle region therebetween. The tissue anchors are deployed through penetrations between adjacent tissue layers, where the flanges engage the outer surfaces of the tissue layers and the saddle region resides within the tissue penetrations.