Aortic Arch Stent Branch Structure for Anatomical Fit and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of the aortic arch anatomy and varying distances between branch vessels in different patients pose challenges for safely implanting an intraoperative stent during type A aortic dissection surgery, risking displacement and hemorrhage.

Innovation Solution

An aortic arch intraoperative stent with a main body and branches featuring self-expanding circular waveform rings, a double-layer ePTFE membrane, and adjustable branch positions, ensuring secure implantation and preventing displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stent with branches is designed to match individual anatomical variations, then the reliability of implantation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplantation reliabilityVSAvoidstent structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stent is divided into a main body and multiple branches, with each branch independently configurable. The circular waveform rings are segmented along the axial direction, allowing independent adjustment of each segment's position and orientation to match individual anatomical variations while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stent employs self-expanding circular waveform rings that can dynamically adjust their configuration. The rings are designed to expand and conform to the vessel wall, with the ability to adapt their shape and position autonomously, providing reliable implantation without requiring complex pre-customization for each patient

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stent branches are made flexible to adapt to varying distances between branch vessels, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability of branch positioning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanatomical adaptationVSAvoidbranch positioning stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stent utilizes self-expanding circular waveform rings whose physical parameters (radius, wave amplitude, frequency) change during deployment. The rings transition from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state, automatically adjusting to match the varying distances between branch vessels while maintaining stable positioning through controlled elastic deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The stent branches incorporate flexible circular waveform rings that can bend and deform to adapt to individual anatomical variations. These flexible structures are designed with appropriate mechanical properties to conform to the vessel geometry while providing sufficient radial support to prevent displacement and maintain stable branch positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If traditional surgery methods are used for type A aortic dissection, then the treatment effectiveness is improved, but the surgery duration and blood loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsurgery duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces complex mechanical surgical procedures (manual anastomosis, vessel reconstruction) with a self-expanding stent system. The stent is delivered via catheter-based approach and deployed autonomously, eliminating the need for extensive open surgical manipulation, thereby significantly reducing surgery duration and blood loss while maintaining treatment effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 stent adapts to individual anatomical variations, providing reliable support and reducing thrombosis risk while ensuring branches remain securely in place post-surgery.

Implementation Method 1

self-expansion second circular waveform rings corresponding to one to three branches one by one

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSelf-expansion: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentEP3090707B1Aortic arch intraoperative stent and manufacturing method thereof
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 LIFETECH SCI (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • EP3090707B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3090707B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3090707B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides an aortic arch intraoperative stent, wherein the aortic arch intraoperative stent comprising a main body (17) and one to three branches (5, 6, 7). The aortic arch intraoperative stent connects several circular waveform rings together via a cover membrane (25) to form the main body (17) and the branches (5, 6, 7), wherein each circular waveform ring comprises a circular elastic wire formed through head-to-tail connection. In addition, the present invention also provides a manufacturing method for the aortic arch intraoperative stent, comprising the following steps of: providing a cover membrane mandrel (40); making an inner membrane; assembling circular waveform rings; making an outer membrane; suturing a proximal fabric (12); and suturing a distal fabric (13). The aortic arch intraoperative stent can automatically adapt to the vascular structure near the aortic arch of different patients, and the main body (17) in the aortic arch intraoperative stent maintains a sufficient radial support for the branches, thereby ensuring that the branches on the aortic arch intraoperative stent may safely enter branch vessels during surgery, and preventing the branches from slipping out of the corresponding branch vessels during and after surgery at the same time.