Absorbable Vascular Filter Biodegradation Schedule
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vascular filters, both permanent and temporary, face issues such as increased risk of recurrent deep vein thrombosis, filter occlusion, migration, and complications like hematoma and infection, while permanent filters often lead to irreversible vascular damage and long-term risks, and temporary filters have high failure rates and are not effectively removed, leading to life-threatening adverse events.
Innovation Solution
An absorbable vascular filter made from non-metallic synthetic polymers that biodegrades sequentially, eliminating the need for removal and reducing the paradoxical increase in deep vein thrombosis by engineering a planned degradation schedule, thereby preventing pulmonary embolism without causing adverse impacts on end organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permanent vascular filters are used, then pulmonary embolism prevention is achieved, but the risk of recurrent deep vein thrombosis increases and irreversible vascular damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The filter material undergoes parameter changes by transitioning from a stable, permanent state to a biodegradable state that gradually breaks down over time. The polymer structure changes its molecular weight and physical properties as it degrades, allowing the filter to maintain structural integrity during the protection period then safely dissolve to eliminate long-term complications
Solution Approach 2:
The filter material experiences phase transitions from solid polymer structure to degraded molecular fragments. This phase change occurs in a controlled manner through hydrolysis of ester bonds, transforming the filter from a functional barrier into soluble byproducts that are naturally eliminated by the body's metabolic processes
2Reliability
If permanent vascular filters are used, then pulmonary embolism prevention is achieved, but filter occlusion, migration, and complications like hematoma and infection occur
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed as a temporary, disposable device that fulfills its protective function for a specific period then safely degrades. Unlike permanent filters that remain in the body indefinitely, this absorbable filter is intended for short-term use followed by complete biodegradation, eliminating the need for retrieval and avoiding long-term complications
3Duration of action of moving object
If temporary vascular filters are used, then removal is intended, but high failure rates occur and filters are not effectively removed leading to life-threatening adverse events
Solution Approach 1:
The filter performs self-service by automatically degrading and eliminating itself without requiring manual retrieval. The biodegradation process is self-driven through enzymatic hydrolysis and bacterial action, allowing the filter to service its own removal function and eliminate the risks associated with failed retrieval attempts
4Duration of action of moving object
If absorbable polymers are used, then sequential biodegradation is achieved eliminating removal need, but the filter must maintain structural integrity during degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The filter structure is segmented into multiple functional zones with different degradation rates. The radial support elements, capture elements, and connecting structures are designed with varying polymer compositions and cross-linking densities, allowing sequential degradation where structural components maintain integrity longer while capture elements degrade first
Solution Approach 2:
The filter employs composite materials combining different absorbable polymers with varying degradation characteristics. By blending polymers such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, and polyepsilon-caprolactone in specific ratios, the filter achieves optimized structural integrity during the protection period followed by controlled biodegradation
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 absorbable vascular filter effectively prevents pulmonary embolism by capturing emboli and biodegrading within a scheduled timeframe, reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and avoiding complications associated with permanent and temporary filters, ensuring safe and efficient protection without long-term vascular damage.
Implementation Method 1
An absorbable vascular filter made from non-metallic synthetic polymers that biodegrades sequentially, eliminating the need for removal
Implementation Method 2
engineering a planned degradation schedule
Data Source
AI summary
An absorbable vascular filter is disclosed for deployment within a vessel for temporary filtering of body fluids. A preferred embodiment is the placement of such absorbable vascular filter within the inferior vena cava (IVC) to filter emboli for the prevention of pulmonary embolism for a limited duration in time. Once protection from PE is complete, the filter is sequentially biodegraded according to a planned schedule determined by the absorption properties of the filter components. Hence the temporary absorbable vascular filter obviates the long term complications of permanent IVC filters such as increased deep vein thrombosis, while also circumventing the removal requirement of metal retrievable IVC filters.