Adaptive Occlusion Implant for Patient-Specific Defect Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implants for defects and cavities in the human body, such as atrial septal defects and left atrial appendages, often have a predetermined size and lack flexibility, leading to poor fit and increased risk of complications.
Innovation Solution
A medical implant with adjustable states and materials, including a self-expanding foam plug, porous mesh, and adhesive composition, allowing for customization to individual patient needs and secure attachment, featuring a braided structure for easy deployment and biodegradability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pre-determined size implant is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the adaptability to individual patient needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The implant transitions from a static, pre-determined size design to a dynamic structure that can change its configuration. The braided structure allows the implant to expand and conform to the specific geometry of the defect site, providing adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple base structure that can be manufactured in standard sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature, moisture exposure) to trigger expansion and shape transformation. The shape memory alloy components change their mechanical properties in response to physiological conditions, allowing the device to adapt to patient-specific anatomies without requiring custom manufacturing for each case.
2Reliability
If a pre-determined size implant is used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the fit at the implant site is poor leading to complications
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed to dynamically adjust its size and shape after implantation, transforming from a compact delivery configuration to an expanded functional configuration. This dynamic adaptation ensures proper fit at the implant site, reducing paravalvular leaks and other complications while maintaining straightforward manufacturing of the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant employs a nested structure where the braided framework contains expandable elements that are compressed during delivery and then deployed at the target site. This nesting approach allows the device to be manufactured in a compact, simple form while achieving a complex, patient-specific fit upon deployment, thereby improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an expandable structure is used to improve fit, then the adaptability increases, but the device complexity and risk of dislodgment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The implant uses dynamic expansion mechanisms controlled during deployment to achieve proper fit. The braided structure provides progressive expansion that can be controlled to ensure stable anchoring before full deployment, reducing dislodgment risk while maintaining high adaptability to patient-specific anatomies.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant features localized anchoring elements within the braided structure that provide differential properties - some regions are designed for secure attachment to prevent dislodgment, while other regions provide conformability to achieve custom fit. This local differentiation of structural properties allows simultaneous optimization of stability and adaptability.
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 implant effectively adapts to the specific size and shape of defects or cavities, reducing the risk of complications by providing a secure fit and minimizing dislodgment, while being biocompatible and minimally invasive.
Implementation Method 1
The medical implant (1) comprises an occlusion device (6) and is made of a shape memory material and is adapted to expand upon exposure to an increased temperature and/or water
Implementation Method 2
The medical implant (1) is adapted such that the adhesive composition is released upon mechanical deformation, in particular mechanical compression
Implementation Method 3
The adhesive composition is curable upon exposure to electromagnetic radiation, such as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and/or X-rays
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to medical implant (1) that is adapted to close a defect (D) or a cavity, preferably a defect in an atrial or septal wall (W) or a left atrial appendage. The implant (1) comprises an occlusion device (6) and has two states. It is adapted to, in a first state, be deployed to a defect site (D), where it can be brought into a second state by an activation mechanism. It is adapted to close said defect (D) in said second state.