Angioplasty Balloon Flexibility via Braided Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional angioplasty balloons lose flexibility when inflated, leading to stress and strain on stents and arteries, particularly in curved vessels, which can cause inflammation, hyperplasia, and recurrent narrowing due to their stiffened configuration.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a braided supporting structure external to the balloon membrane, which allows the balloon to maintain flexibility by reconfiguring and shortening as it inflates, offsetting longitudinal tension and enabling curvature even at high pressures through redundant folds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If conventional low-compliance materials are used to tolerate high inflation pressures, then the balloon attains uniform predictable diameters, but the balloon loses flexibility and becomes stiff when inflated
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is divided into multiple discrete segments separated by compressible material, allowing each segment to move independently and maintain flexibility even when inflated to high pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The balloon structure transitions from a static continuous form to a dynamic segmented form where segments can shift relative to each other, enabling the balloon to adapt its shape and maintain flexibility during inflation
2Force
If the balloon is inflated to high pressures to treat stenosis, then effective angioplasty is achieved, but the balloon straightens and imposes stress on stents and curved arteries
Solution Approach 1:
Segmented construction allows the balloon to apply radial expansion force effectively while preventing the transmission of longitudinal straightening forces to the stent and artery, as segments can move independently to absorb these forces
Solution Approach 2:
The compressible material between segments, which might seem to reduce structural integrity, actually serves to absorb harmful longitudinal forces and convert them into beneficial radial expansion while maintaining flexibility
3Ease of operation
If segmented balloons are used to maintain flexibility, then differential lengthening is possible, but the segmented shape is imposed on the stent and flexibility is hindered when overinflated
Solution Approach 1:
The compressible material is placed locally between segments to allow flexibility where needed while maintaining a smooth outer surface when inflated, ensuring both stent expansion quality and balloon flexibility are achieved in different locations
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 braided structure ensures the balloon remains flexible and capable of bending or curving at high inflation pressures, reducing the risk of straightening and stress on the artery, while maintaining effective stent deployment and artery dilation.
Implementation Method 1
the braided supporting structure is free to move relative to a central region of the balloon surface... inflation of the balloon reconfigures the braided supporting structure to urge the first location and the second location towards one another
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Flexible high-pressure angioplasty balloons are disclosed herein which utilize an inflatable balloon positioned upon the catheter and a supporting structure secured over or along the catheter at a first location proximal to the balloon and at a second location distal to the balloon. Inflation of the balloon reconfigures the supporting structure to urge the first location and the second location towards one another thereby inhibiting longitudinal elongation of the balloon relative to the catheter. The supporting structure may surround, support, or otherwise extend over the entire length of the balloon and allows for the balloon to retain increased flexibility which enables the balloon to bend or curve even at relatively high inflation pressures.