Aneurysm Stent with Variable Porosity for Flow Modulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices and methods for occluding cerebral aneurysms lack effectiveness in preventing rupture and hemorrhage, as they fail to adequately address the thinning and weakening of aneurysm walls, leading to high rupture rates and severe health outcomes.

Innovation Solution

Development of a stent with circumferential or longitudinal variation in porosity and flexibility to span the aneurysm neck, reducing blood flow while maintaining flow to nearby vessels, and potentially incorporating multiple layers or integrated actuators for enhanced occlusion and monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stent with uniform porosity is used to occlude an aneurysm, then blood flow to the aneurysm is reduced, but blood flow to nearby vessels is also compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaneurysm occlusion efficacyVSAvoidblood flow restriction to adjacent vessels

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is designed with non-uniform porosity distribution, featuring higher porosity regions positioned over the aneurysm neck for effective occlusion, and lower porosity regions positioned over adjacent healthy vessels to maintain adequate blood flow. This spatial variation in porosity allows the stent to perform different functions in different locations simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a stent with high flexibility is used to accommodate tortuous vessels, then vessel conformability improves, but structural strength for occlusion decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevessel conformabilityVSAvoidocclusion structural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is constructed using composite materials that combine high-strength, low-flexibility materials in regions requiring structural support for occlusion, and high-flexibility, low-strength materials in regions requiring conformability to tortuous vessel geometry. This composite construction allows the stent to simultaneously achieve both vessel adaptability and occlusion strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If a simple single-layer stent design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but occlusion efficacy and monitoring capability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent structure simplicityVSAvoidocclusion efficacy and monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is divided into multiple functional layers, each performing a specific function: an outer layer for mechanical support and occlusion, an intermediate layer for flow modulation, and an inner layer with embedded sensors for monitoring. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stent incorporates integrated sensors and signaling capabilities that can detect early signs of aneurysm recurrence or complications before they become clinically significant. This preliminary detection and warning system allows for early intervention, preventing catastrophic failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10028747B2Coils with a series of proximally-and-distally-connected loops for occluding a cerebral aneurysm

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 ANEUCLOSE LLC

AI summary

This invention can be embodied in a device for occluding a cerebral aneurysm comprising a series of proximally-and-distally-connected coil loops. This invention can further comprise a stretchable mesh which spans the interiors of these loops. These loops (and the stretchable mesh) overlap to create a coil-and-mesh mass within the aneurysm sac which occludes the aneurysm.