Annular Blood Vessel Implant for Multi-Directional Baroreceptor Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable medical devices fail to efficiently extend blood vessels in multiple directions for effective mechanical stimulation of baroreceptors, leading to insufficient therapeutic effects due to non-uniform expansion and limited stimulation points.
Innovation Solution
An implantable medical device with an annular structure featuring alternating first and second curved portions and linear connecting portions, allowing for increased contact points and directional expansion, combined with a delivery device that securely positions and deploys the device within the blood vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the blood vessel holding unit uses a simple polygonal shape (square or pentagon), then the device structure is simple, but the number of stimulation points is limited (4 or 5 points) and mechanical stimulation effectiveness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The blood vessel holding unit is segmented into multiple independent curved portions (first curved portions and second curved portions) connected by linear connecting portions. Each curved portion can independently contact and stimulate the blood vessel wall at different locations, increasing the number of stimulation points from 4-5 to multiple points around the entire circumference, while maintaining structural simplicity through modular repetition
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a simple 2D polygonal cross-section to a 3D wavy structure with curved portions extending in multiple directions. The first and second curved portions create apex portions that protrude toward the blood vessel wall in different radial directions, enabling multi-directional contact and stimulation that a flat polygon cannot achieve
2Manufacturing precision
If the blood vessel holding unit uses a uniform cylindrical expansion, then the radial expansion is uniform, but the stimulation points are insufficient and therapeutic effect is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates curved portions with apex portions that protrude radially outward to contact the blood vessel wall. These curved structures concentrate mechanical force at specific apex points, creating effective stimulation points while maintaining overall uniform radial expansion of the cylindrical device. The curvature allows focused contact pressure at discrete points rather than distributed pressure across the entire surface
3Manufacturing precision
If the number of curved portions and stimulation points is increased significantly, then mechanical stimulation effectiveness improves, but the device complexity and structural difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The linear connecting portions have different structural characteristics compared to the curved portions. The linear portions provide structural support and connectivity, while the curved portions with apex portions provide stimulation functionality. This differentiation allows optimization of each segment's properties without requiring the entire structure to be complex, achieving effective stimulation with moderate overall complexity
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 efficiently applies mechanical stimulation to baroreceptors by expanding in multiple directions, enhancing therapeutic efficacy while minimizing interference with blood flow and vessel coverage.
Implementation Method 1
a wavy linear component including at least one or more first curved portions 11 protruding toward a proximal end side, at least one or more second curved portions 12 protruding toward a distal end side... the first curved portion forms at least one or more first apex portions 11' in a radial direction... the second curved portion forms at least one or more second apex portions 12' in the radial direction... capable of expanding and contracting to apply mechanical stimulation to a blood vessel wall
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A blood vessel is efficiently extended in different directions to apply effective mechanical stimulation to a stimulation target site (for example, a baroreceptor of a blood vessel). An implantable medical device 1 includes the blood vessel holding unit 10 capable of expanding and contracting to apply mechanical stimulation to the blood vessel wall of a blood vessel Bv, the blood vessel holding unit 10 has an annular structure in which a wavy linear component including at least one or more first curved portions 11 protruding toward the proximal end side, at least one or more second curved portions 11 protruding toward the distal end side, and at least one or more linear first connecting portions 13 connecting the first curved portion 11 and the second curved portion 12 is annular, the first curved portion 11 forms at least one or more first apex portions 11' in the radial direction of the central axis C of the annular structure, the second curved portion 12 forms at least one or more second apex portions 12' in the radial direction of the central axis C of the annular structure, and the first apex portion 11' and the second apex portion 12' are arranged to be shifted in the circumferential direction around the central axis C of the annular structure and in the long axis direction of the central axis C of the annular structure.