Asymmetric IVC Filter Design for Embedding Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters face complications such as tilting, embedding into the vein wall, breakage, and difficulty in removal, leading to potential blockages, irreversible damage, and failure to retrieve the device in a significant percentage of cases.
Innovation Solution
The IVC filter apparatus features fixed hooks at opposite ends and a distal hook for easy repositioning, with a body design that minimizes the risk of embedding and allows for easier removal, including a proximal segment to distal segment length ratio of less than 1:5 and a cross-sectional area of less than 5 mm2 to reduce blood flow impedance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional IVC filters are placed in the IVC, then blood clots are trapped and PE is prevented, but the filter can tilt and embed into the vein wall causing complications
Solution Approach 1:
The filter body is designed with dynamic characteristics allowing it to self-adjust and self-correct tilting. The asymmetric configuration with a longer distal segment provides a counterbalancing effect that dynamically responds to tilting forces, enabling the filter to self-correct and prevent embedding into the vein wall while maintaining clot trapping effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The filter employs an asymmetric design where the distal segment is longer than the proximal segment (length ratio of less than 1:5). This asymmetry creates a counterbalancing moment that opposes tilting forces, with the longer distal segment acting as a stabilizing lever to prevent the filter from embedding into the vein wall
2Stability of the object's composition
If the IVC filter is designed with a larger body to improve structural stability, then the filter is more stable in the vein, but blood flow impedance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter optimizes the length ratio parameter between proximal and distal segments (less than 1:5) to achieve stable positioning without increasing overall body size. This parameter optimization allows the filter to maintain stability while preserving adequate blood flow through the IVC by minimizing the cross-sectional area occupied by the filter body
3Reliability
If the IVC filter is placed deeply in the IVC to prevent migration, then the filter is more secure, but removal becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into distinct proximal and distal segments with different functional characteristics. The proximal segment with its shorter length and hook configuration is specifically designed for easy engagement and removal, while the distal segment provides anchoring stability. This segmentation allows the filter to be securely positioned yet easily retrieved when needed
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filter apparatus and related methods. The IVC filter apparatus comprises a body having a proximal hook thereon. A plurality of filter legs extends away from the proximal hook. A distal hook is position interior to at least a portion of the plurality of legs.