Adjustable Stent Graft Deployment for Intersecting Vessels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stent and stent graft technologies face challenges in treating vascular diseases, particularly at sites with intersecting vessels, due to difficulties in alignment, securement, and adjustability, leading to issues like leakage, migration, and temporary blood flow disruption, especially in complex anatomies like the aortic arch.

Innovation Solution

The development of adjustable stent and stent graft devices with interconnected cells and a delivery system using elongated members for precise deployment and tensioning, allowing for in situ adjustment of the device's length and diameter to accommodate varying vascular anatomies and enabling secure anchoring without causing permanent occlusion or damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional stent and stent graft technologies are used to treat vascular diseases at intersecting vessel sites, then treatment of vascular conditions is achieved, but alignment precision and securement reliability are insufficient leading to leakage and migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurement reliabilityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stent graft is divided into multiple segments including a main body portion and multiple branch portions that can be independently positioned and secured. Each segment can be individually aligned with its target vessel, allowing precise control over alignment at intersecting vessels while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connecting main body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stent graft incorporates adjustable and repositionable features that allow post-deployment modification of its configuration. The branch portions can be adjusted to different positions and angles relative to the main body, enabling optimization of alignment precision after initial deployment to account for variations in vessel anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional stent grafts are deployed without adjustment capability, then deployment process is simplified, but adaptability to varying vascular anatomies is insufficient causing leakage and migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying vascular anatomiesVSAvoiddeployment process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stent graft incorporates adjustable features that allow post-deployment modification of its configuration. The branch portions can be adjusted to different positions and angles relative to the main body, enabling optimization of alignment precision after initial deployment to account for variations in vessel anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stent graft is pre-formed with a basic configuration that can be readily adjusted. The interconnected cell structure is pre-configured to allow controlled expansion and positioning, with the capability to be modified in situ to accommodate specific vascular anatomical variations without requiring complete redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional stent grafts cause temporary blood flow disruption during deployment, then secure anchoring is achieved, but treatment efficacy is reduced due to prolonged occlusion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring securityVSAvoidtreatment efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional stent grafts are used in complex anatomies like aortic arch, then treatment is provided, but device stability is insufficient due to high blood flow and pressure causing migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex anatomiesVSAvoiddevice stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stent graft incorporates adjustable features that allow modification of its dimensional parameters including length, diameter, and branch angles. This enables adaptation to the specific geometric parameters of complex anatomies like the aortic arch, allowing the device to maintain optimal contact and stability despite variations in vessel curvature and diameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10179058B2Apparatus and method for deploying an implantable device within the body

Publication Date: 2019.01.15 TAHERI LADUCA LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides devices and methods for fabricating and deploying an implantable device within the body. The invention is particularly suitable for delivering and deploying a stent, graft or stent graft device within a vessel or tubular structure within the body, particularly where the implant site involves two or more interconnecting vessels. The delivery and deployment system utilizes a plurality of strings which are releasably attached to the luminal ends of the implantable device.