Aneurysm Occlusion Conduit With Expandable Braid Neck Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for intracranial aneurysms, such as platinum coil placement and flow diverters, face challenges with long-term recanalization and the need for antiplatelet therapy, which can be risky, especially in cases with wide necks or large interior volumes, necessitating a more effective and immediate solution.

Innovation Solution

A treatment system comprising an electrolytically corrodible conduit with a detachment zone and an occlusive member that self-expands within the aneurysm, allowing for the delivery of an embolic element to deform the occlusive member and create a stable seal at the aneurysm neck, reducing the risk of rupture and re-rupture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If platinum coil is disposed within aneurysm interior volume, then aneurysm occlusion is achieved, but long-term recanalization occurs especially for wide necks and large interior volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaneurysm occlusion stabilityVSAvoidlong-term occlusion durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite structure combining a flow diverter (mesh tube) with an occlusive member (plug device). The flow diverter is made of biocompatible material that promotes endothelialization, while the occlusive member is composed of embolic material that creates immediate thrombosis. This composite approach provides both immediate occlusion and long-term stability by addressing the limitations of single-modality treatments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If flow diverter is deployed within intracranial blood vessel, then blood flow is redirected away from aneurysm, but weeks or months are required for aneurysmal thrombus formation and endothelial cell coverage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow redirectionVSAvoidtime to achieve full effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The occlusive member is deployed in advance within the aneurysm interior volume to immediately induce thrombosis and occlusion. This preliminary action occurs before the flow diverter completes endothelialization, providing immediate protection against rupture while the flow diverter establishes long-term blood flow redirection. The embolic material within the occlusive member accelerates thrombus formation, eliminating the waiting period inherent in flow diverter-only treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If flow diverter is used to treat aneurysm, then antiplatelet therapy is required to prevent thrombus formation in main channel, but antiplatelet therapy is contraindicated after initial rupture due to high re-rupture risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethrombus prevention in main channelVSAvoidre-rupture risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the thrombus prevention function from the flow diverter by adding a separate occlusive member that actively promotes thrombosis within the aneurysm. The flow diverter's primary function is reduced to blood flow redirection and structural support, while the occlusive member's embolic material (e.g., gelatin sponge, coils, or liquid embolic) provides localized thrombosis generation. This separation allows treatment without systemic antiplatelet therapy, eliminating the contradiction between preventing main channel thrombosis and avoiding re-rupture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If conventional vascular surgery is performed for wide neck aneurysms, then aneurysm occlusion is attempted, but recanalization occurs due to inadequate neck closure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaneurysm occlusionVSAvoidneck closure stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite device combines a flow diverter that provides structural support and scaffolding at the aneurysm neck with an occlusive member filled with embolic material that actively promotes thrombosis and sealing. The flow diverter's mesh structure maintains neck patency and guides endothelial growth, while the occlusive member's embolic contents create immediate thrombosis that seals the neck. This dual-mechanism approach overcomes the inadequate neck closure problem in wide neck aneurysms by providing both structural and biological sealing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 system provides a rapid and effective means to occlude the aneurysm, reducing the risk of recanalization and eliminating the need for antiplatelet therapy, thereby enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

the conduit includes a detachment zone configured to be electrolytically severed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolytic corrosion: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11504816B2Systems and methods for treating aneurysms

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 COVIDIEN LP

AI summary

Treatment of aneurysms can be improved by delivering an occlusive member (e.g., an expandable braid) to an aneurysm sac in conjunction with an embolic element (e.g., coils, embolic material). A treatment system for such treatment can include an electrolytically corrodible conduit having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a detachment zone between the proximal portion and the distal portion. An occlusive member having a proximal hub is coupled to the conduit distal portion. The conduit has a lumen configured to pass an embolic element therethrough.