Aneurysm Neck Cover With Inner Anchor for Faster Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aneurysm treatment methods, such as coil embolization and stent placement, are invasive, time-consuming, and can lead to complications like brain swelling, thrombosis, and stroke, while current devices struggle with coil compaction and recurrence, necessitating additional procedures.
Innovation Solution
An endovascular device with a biodegradable or bioabsorbable inner cover and anchoring members is deployed using a catheter to occlude the aneurysm, minimizing vessel disruption and promoting endothelialization, while being customizable to fit various aneurysm sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coils are used to fill the aneurysm volume, then blood flow into the aneurysm is decreased, but the procedure becomes time-consuming and coils may compact over time requiring additional treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the occlusion function into two segments: a cover that occludes the aneurysm neck and anchoring members that secure the cover in place. This segmentation allows the occlusion function to be achieved without filling the entire aneurysm volume with coils, reducing procedural time while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is pre-formed and deployed in a single action to occlude the aneurysm neck before blood flow can cause damage. This preliminary occlusion action eliminates the need for gradual coil placement, significantly reducing procedural time while achieving immediate thrombosis.
2Reliability
If multiple coils are used to fill large cerebral aneurysms, then blood flow into the aneurysm is decreased, but mass effect may induce brain swelling
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential occlusion function from the bulky coil mass and concentrates it in a thin cover structure at the aneurysm neck. This removes the harmful mass effect of multiple coils filling the aneurysm volume while preserving the therapeutic effect of blood flow occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is implemented as a thin, flexible structure that conforms to the aneurysm neck geometry. This thin-film approach achieves effective occlusion without the volumetric mass of coils, eliminating brain swelling while maintaining thrombosis induction.
3Reliability
If a stent device with tight weave is placed to divert blood flow, then flow past the aneurysm is promoted, but access to the aneurysm volume is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the occlusion function from the stent structure and places it in a separate cover component at the aneurysm neck. This allows the stent to provide flow diversion while the cover provides occlusion, and enables access to the aneurysm volume through the stent's open structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device segments the flow diversion function (stent) from the occlusion function (cover). The stent with its open structure maintains ease of access to the aneurysm volume while the cover provides the occlusion effect, resolving the contradiction between flow diversion and access.
4Reliability
If open surgery is used to close off the aneurysm neck, then the aneurysm is effectively treated, but trauma to adjacent tissue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cover acts as an intermediary device placed at the aneurysm neck to achieve occlusion without direct surgical manipulation of the tissue. This endovascular approach eliminates the need for open surgical clamps or ligatures, preventing trauma to adjacent brain tissue while achieving effective aneurysm closure.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of aneurysm rupture by blocking blood flow, minimizes procedural time, and reduces the likelihood of complications by conforming to the aneurysm's shape and promoting tissue adhesion, thus providing a durable and effective treatment.
Implementation Method 1
An endovascular device with a biodegradable or bioabsorbable inner cover and anchoring members is deployed using a catheter to occlude the aneurysm, minimizing vessel disruption and promoting endothelialization
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3C
Figure 3D~3E
AI summary
An apparatus for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel includes an occlusion element disposed on a wire, the occlusion element including a cover for covering a neck of an aneurysm and an inner anchoring member. The cover is configured to expand from a compressed configuration in a tube to an expanded configuration when advanced out of a distal end of the tube to cover the neck of the aneurysm. The cover includes a sphere of mesh material formed into a hemisphere including two layers of mesh that is formed by folding a top portion of the sphere into a bottom portion of the sphere. The inner anchoring member is coupled to and extends from the second surface of the cover and is configured to contact an interior surface of the aneurysm. The inner anchoring member may be a cylindrical stem extending from a central portion of the cover.