Auxiliary Guide Wire Stent Graft Deployment System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endoluminal deployment systems face challenges in effectively deploying stent grafts into side branches, such as the thoracic arch's arteries, due to difficulties in navigating and securing the grafts without damaging the vessel walls, especially in complex anatomical structures like the thoracic arch.
Innovation Solution
A deployment system comprising an introducer with a stent graft and an auxiliary guide wire that can be snared from a side artery, allowing for precise placement and expansion of self-expanding stents within the stent graft, using diameter reducing ties and trigger wire mechanisms to manage the graft's expansion and retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent graft is deployed into a side branch artery using conventional endoluminal deployment systems, then the graft can be placed in the vessel, but the complex anatomical structure of the thoracic arch makes navigation and securing difficult, increasing the risk of vessel damage
Solution Approach 1:
The deployment system is divided into separate functional components: an introducer device for navigation and positioning, and a separate auxiliary guide wire for securing the graft in the side branch. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, improving overall reliability while managing complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
An auxiliary guide wire is introduced as an intermediary element that passes through the stent graft into the side branch artery. This guide wire serves as a mediator between the introducer device and the target vessel, enabling secure anchoring of the graft without requiring the complex introducer system to directly engage with the side branch anatomy
2Ease of operation
If self-expanding stents are used within the stent graft, then the graft can be deployed without external expansion forces, but the stents may expand too vigorously and damage the vessel walls
Solution Approach 1:
Diameter reducing ties are applied to the stent graft before deployment to pre-constrain the stent diameter. This preliminary action prevents the stent from expanding too vigorously upon release, thereby protecting the vessel walls from damage while still allowing controlled expansion to the desired diameter
Solution Approach 2:
The diameter reducing ties apply a preliminary counteracting force to oppose the natural expansion tendency of the self-expanding stent. This preliminary anti-action prevents excessive expansion before the stent is released, eliminating the harmful effect of vessel wall damage while maintaining the ease of self-expansion mechanism
3Reliability
If the stent graft is retained on the introducer using conventional retention mechanisms, then the graft can be positioned, but the proximal and distal ends may not be securely held during complex deployment maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is segmented into independent proximal and distal retention mechanisms, each capable of securing its respective end of the stent graft. This segmentation provides reliable retention at both ends while allowing each mechanism to be independently optimized and simplified
Solution Approach 2:
The retention mechanisms are designed to automatically engage and secure the stent graft ends through the deployment process itself, reducing the need for complex manual manipulation. The system serves itself by using the deployment forces to engage the retention mechanisms, thereby achieving reliable retention without excessive complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A deployment system for introducing stent grafts which have a side arm or into which a side arm can be deployed. For instance the stent graft can be deployed into the thoracic arch of a patient. The deployment system including an introducer (1), an auxiliary catheter (13) disposed within the introducer and an auxiliary guide wire (14) disposed within the auxiliary catheter. The auxiliary guide wire extends to adjacent the proximal end (6) of the introducer and can be extended from the proximal end of the introducer so that it can be snared from a side branch artery (56) to assist with deployment of a side arm (23) of the stent graft into the side artery or for the deployment of a side arm stent graft into the stent graft.