Balancing Elements for Uniform Tension in Stented Prosthesis Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transcatheter stented prosthesis delivery devices face challenges in evenly distributing tension across elongate tension members, leading to inconsistent crimping and expansion of the stented prosthesis during delivery and implantation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a delivery device with an optional outer delivery sheath assembly, shaft assembly, and handle assembly, which includes one or more elongate tension members and balancing elements to distribute tension evenly, allowing for adjustable compression and self-expansion of the stented prosthesis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional delivery devices without balancing elements are used, then the device structure is simpler, but the tension distribution across tension members is inconsistent leading to uneven crimping and expansion
Solution Approach 1:
A balancing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the tension members and the actuator. This balancing element distributes the tension force evenly across multiple tension members, ensuring uniform crimping and expansion of the stented prosthesis. The balancing element acts as a mediator that transforms the single actuator's linear motion into balanced radial compression forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing element functions by distributing the compressive force from the actuator across multiple tension members in a balanced manner. Each tension member receives equal tension force, creating a counterbalancing effect that ensures uniform compression around the stented prosthesis, preventing uneven crimping that would occur without this force distribution mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If multiple tension members are used to compress the stented prosthesis, then the compression control is improved, but the tension distribution becomes inconsistent without balancing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing element serves as a mechanical intermediary that connects multiple tension members to a single actuator. It ensures that when the actuator moves, the tension force is automatically distributed equally among all tension members, providing both ease of operation (single actuator control) and precision (uniform tension distribution).
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing element merges the functions of multiple tension members into a single coordinated system controlled by one actuator. By combining the tension members through the balancing element, the system achieves unified control while maintaining equal force distribution, resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and compression uniformity.
3Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to control multiple tension members, then the device operation is simplified, but the tension balance among tension members is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The balancing element is the key intermediary that enables a single actuator to control multiple tension members with equal force. It mechanically ensures that the actuator's linear displacement is translated into equal tension changes for all connected tension members, achieving tension equality without requiring multiple actuators or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The balancing element creates an equipotential condition for tension distribution among multiple tension members. By design, it ensures that each tension member experiences the same tension force when the actuator is actuated, eliminating tension imbalances and ensuring uniform compression of the stented prosthesis.
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
This solution enables precise and even crimping and expansion of the stented prosthesis, ensuring consistent deployment and reducing the risk of complications during transcatheter procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Compression of the stented prosthesis can be adjusted with one or more elongate tension members, which extend around the stented prosthesis
Implementation Method 2
balancing elements or are otherwise configured to distribute the tension applied to the tension members to provide even crimping and expansion of the stented prosthesis
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to delivery devices for transcatheter stented prosthesis loading, delivery and implantation. The delivery devices provide a loaded delivery state in which the stented prosthesis is loaded and compressed over the delivery device. The compression of the stented prosthesis can be adjusted with one or more elongate tension members, which extend around the stented prosthesis and proximately to an actuation and release assembly that can be provided as part of a handle assembly. The delivery device can be manipulated to adjust tension in the tension members to permit the stented prosthesis to compress, self-expand, and ultimately release from the shaft assembly. In some embodiments, the tension in one or more tension members is adjusted with one or more actuation and release assemblies.