Apex Capture Stent Graft Deployment for Lower Release Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stent graft delivery systems face high deployment forces and accuracy issues due to severe compression and friction, leading to reduced control over stent placement and increased risk of complications such as type III endoleaks.

Innovation Solution

The invention introduces an apex capture device with a proximal and distal apex capture portion, tines, slots, and bosses, along with a telescoping mechanism and a lead screw assembly to facilitate controlled deployment, reducing deployment forces and enhancing accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the stent graft is severely compressed into a small diameter delivery system, then the device size is reduced for easier insertion, but the deployment force increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery system diameterVSAvoiddeployment force

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is divided into multiple segments including an outer sheath, inner catheter, and modular stent graft components. This segmentation allows the stent graft to be compressed in a controlled manner and deployed systematically, reducing the peak deployment force required while maintaining a compact delivery profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery system employs dynamic mechanisms including telescoping sections and controlled expansion sequences. The stent graft transitions from a compressed state within the delivery system to an expanded state at the deployment site through controlled mechanical actions, allowing force distribution over time and reducing instantaneous deployment force requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the outer sheath is retracted to deploy the stent graft, then the stent is released, but the friction between sheath and stent creates high initial deployment force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheath retractionVSAvoidinitial deployment force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The stent graft is pre-positioned and secured within the delivery system before reaching the deployment site. The outer sheath is prepared for controlled retraction, and the stent graft is held in a ready-to-deploy state. This preliminary preparation allows the retraction force to be applied more efficiently, reducing the initial friction barrier when deployment begins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An inner catheter or support member acts as an intermediary between the outer sheath and the stent graft. This intermediary component facilitates smooth interaction during sheath retraction, reducing direct friction between the sheath and stent graft while maintaining control over the deployment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If high deployment forces are applied to unsheathe the stent graft, then the stent is deployed, but deployment accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent deploymentVSAvoiddeployment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system incorporates feedback mechanisms including visual markers, fluoroscopic landmarks, and controlled retraction increments. The operator can monitor the deployment process in real-time and adjust the retraction speed and force application, allowing correction of positioning errors before final stent release, thereby maintaining high deployment accuracy even with necessary deployment forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath retraction is performed in controlled partial increments rather than a single full retraction. This allows the operator to deploy the stent graft in stages, checking positioning accuracy at intermediate points and making adjustments if needed, thereby ensuring precise final placement while still achieving complete deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 system provides improved control over stent graft deployment, reduces the risk of endoleaks, and maintains system integrity through redundancy, ensuring precise placement and minimizing procedural complications.

Implementation Method 1

an internal lead screw assembly (5510) within the conduit, the internal lead screw assembly (5510) being moveable along a major axis of the conduit, and including a threaded portion (5512) that extends through the track (5542)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a telescoping mechanism and a lead screw assembly to facilitate controlled deployment, reducing deployment forces and enhancing accuracy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTelescoping mechanism: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS12472081B2Abdominal aortic aneurysms: systems and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 BOLTON MEDICAL INC

AI summary

A stent graft system includes a tubular graft component, a bare stent component, an infrarenal stent component at least one suprarenal barb extending distally from at least one suprarenal portion of the bare stent component and at least one infrarenal barb extending distally from at least one infrarenal portion of the bare stent component. A stent graft system can also include at least one barb.