Experimental validation of a tissue-joining implant providing flexible adaptation to the thickness of the stomach wall.

Endoscopy is gradually replacing open surgery in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, novel medical devices and instrumentation are required, such as flexible miniaturized mechanisms for tissue joining and manipulation. In this paper, an absorbable implant for the purpose of long-term tissue fixation is presented. An experimental validation of the implant design and functionality is introduced. The implant achieves tissue penetration and provides flexible adaptation according to the thickness of two stomach walls. This mechanism is easy as it is based on push-pull principle using unidirectional forces. The shape optimization of each implant part occurs by varying design-influencing factors. The load transmission on postmortem porcine tissue was measured in the frame of the experimental setup. The feasibility of the implant was tested, and the forces needed for the intended application quantified. The implant successfully achieves tissue penetration, load transmission, adjustment, and fixation. It is a new alternative to conventional tissue-joining mechanisms.