Barbed Structural Member Retaining Radiopaque Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implants with radiopaque markers face issues due to thermal expansion differences between dissimilar metals, leading to dislodgment and potential embolus formation, especially in vascular implants, as existing securing methods like welding produce oxides and mechanical pressing lacks a secure bond.
Innovation Solution
The use of structural members with barbs in medical implants to securely retain radiopaque markers, eliminating the need for welding and providing a stable connection that withstands extreme temperatures by positioning the markers within openings defined by barbs, ensuring retention without material oxides or dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If welding is used to secure the radiopaque marker to the structural member, then the marker is securely retained, but material oxides are produced which are detrimental to the implant and harmful to the subject
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/chemical system) with a mechanical interference fit system. The radiopaque marker is secured to the structural member through precise dimensional matching and frictional forces, eliminating the need for welding and thus preventing oxide formation. The marker's outer dimensions are designed to slightly exceed the inner dimensions of the structural member's opening, creating a secure mechanical bond without thermal processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the radiopaque marker and structural member opening to achieve an interference fit. By controlling the outer dimensions of the marker to be slightly larger than the inner dimensions of the opening, a secure mechanical retention is achieved through friction and elastic deformation, replacing the welding process and avoiding harmful oxide byproducts.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If mechanical pressing is used to secure the radiopaque marker within the opening, then welding-related issues are avoided, but the bond between the marker and structural member is not secure enough under extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the dimensional parameters of both the radiopaque marker and the structural member opening to create an interference fit. The marker's outer dimensions are precisely controlled to slightly exceed the opening's inner dimensions, generating sufficient frictional force and elastic deformation to maintain a secure connection under extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses, unlike conventional mechanical pressing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or rounded geometries in the interface between the radiopaque marker and the structural member opening. This curvature distribution enhances the contact area and frictional forces, improving the mechanical retention and preventing dislodgment under thermal expansion and contraction, thereby achieving reliable connection without welding.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the radiopaque marker and structural member are made of dissimilar metals, then the marker can be formed of precious or rare earth metal, but thermal expansion differences cause the marker to become dislodged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for thermal expansion differences by precisely controlling the dimensional parameters of the radiopaque marker and structural member interface. The interference fit design ensures that frictional forces and elastic deformations maintain a secure connection despite differential thermal expansion, preventing dislodgment while allowing the use of dissimilar precious or rare earth metals for the marker.
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 enhances the retention of radiopaque markers within medical implants, preventing dislodgment and embolus formation, while avoiding welding-related issues and ensuring the markers remain securely attached under varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Mechanical pressing techniques generally may rely on an interference fit for retaining the radiopaque marker within the opening or recess of the structural member
Implementation Method 2
the thermal expansion properties of the two dissimilar metals may allow the radiopaque marker to become dislodged from the structural member
Data Source
AI summary
A medical implant may include a structural member and a radiopaque marker. The structural member may include a first surface, a second surface disposed opposite the first surface, an opening extending from the first surface to the second surface and defining a central axis, and a plurality of barbs extending into the opening toward the central axis. The barbs may be spaced apart from one another and spaced apart from each of the first surface and the second surface. The radiopaque marker may be disposed within the opening.