Unidirectional Valve Aneurysm Decompression via Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for aneurysms, such as endovascular coiling, liquid embolization, flow diverters, and surgical clips, either fail to reduce aneurysm size quickly or require invasive procedures and long-term implantation, often resulting in prolonged occlusion times and increased rupture risk.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with a valve configured for unidirectional fluid flow is positioned across the aneurysm neck, utilizing suction to aspirate blood and decompress the aneurysm, allowing for quick reduction in size and minimizing rupture risk through the application of a suction force via a catheter, with options including expandable frames, polymer layers, and mesh configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If current treatments like endovascular coiling, liquid embolization, flow diverters, or surgical clips are used, then aneurysm treatment is achieved, but the aneurysm size is not reduced quickly and occlusion time is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts blood from the aneurysm sac through aspiration using a catheter connected to a suction source. This active removal of blood rapidly reduces aneurysm volume and accelerates decompression, directly addressing the contradiction by enabling quick size reduction without prolonged occlusion time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a suction source to create negative pressure that draws blood out of the aneurysm through the catheter. This pneumatic-hydraulic mechanism enables rapid fluid removal and accelerates the decompression process, resolving the contradiction between treatment effectiveness and time loss.
2Reliability
If current treatments are used, then aneurysm is treated, but rupture risk remains increased due to prolonged occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of blood pressure on the aneurysm wall into a beneficial force by using aspiration to actively remove blood. This reduces wall stress and rupture risk while maintaining treatment reliability, as the controlled removal of blood prevents both rupture and prolonged occlusion complications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary decompression by removing blood from the aneurysm before definitive treatment is established. This preliminary action reduces rupture risk by decreasing wall stress early in the treatment process, while the one-way valve prevents backflow that could cause prolonged occlusion.
3Productivity
If a one-way valve is added to enable unidirectional flow, then rapid decompression is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The one-way valve is designed to function automatically based on pressure differential alone, without requiring external control mechanisms. The valve opens when aspiration creates negative pressure to allow rapid decompression, then closes automatically when pressure equalizes or reverses, preventing backflow. This self-regulating mechanism achieves high productivity while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve is constructed from flexible polymer materials that can deform in response to pressure changes. This flexible membrane design enables the valve to open and close automatically with pressure differential, achieving efficient decompression control without complex mechanical actuation systems, thus maintaining device simplicity.
4Duration of action of moving object
If suction force is applied via catheter, then quick collapse of aneurysm is achieved, but additional components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The catheter serves multiple functions: it provides the pathway for aspiration to achieve rapid decompression, and it also serves as the delivery mechanism for deploying the one-way valve and expandable mesh. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate delivery systems, minimizing additional components while achieving quick aneurysm collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the aspiration catheter with the one-way valve and expandable mesh into an integrated system. The catheter delivers both the valve and mesh to the aneurysm site, and the suction force applied through the same catheter achieves rapid decompression. This merging of functions reduces system complexity despite the addition of new components.
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 solution enables rapid aneurysm decompression, reducing rupture risk and intracranial pressure more effectively than existing methods, while allowing for long-term treatment by preventing blood flow back into the aneurysm.
Implementation Method 1
a suction source configured to apply a suction force to the catheter to remove fluid from the aneurysm through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A medical system for treating aneurysms includes a medical device configured to direct fluid flow away from an aneurysm. The medical device includes a body configured to be positioned across a neck of an aneurysm. The body defines an opening configured to enable fluid flow out of the aneurysm through the neck when the body is positioned across the neck. The medical device further includes a valve configured to allow unidirectional flow of fluid through the opening from the aneurysm into a vessel when the body is positioned across the neck. A method for treating aneurysms includes positioning the body of the medical device across a neck of an aneurysm. The method further includes positioning a catheter in a vessel proximate the neck. The catheter defines a catheter lumen. The method further includes applying suction to the catheter lumen to remove fluid from the aneurysm through the valve.