Beveled Front-End Loader for Prosthetic Occluder Retrieval

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current front-end loaders for percutaneous transluminal delivery and retrieval of prosthetic occluders introduce air into the cardiovascular system, risking complications, and are inefficient in retrieving occluders without removing the introducer sheath.

Innovation Solution

A front-end loader with a beveled and chamfered distal end to minimize air introduction and facilitate occluder retrieval, featuring a conically shaped lumen and a chamfered rim to ease occluder withdrawal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a front-end loader is introduced into the hub of an indwelling introducer sheath to deliver or retrieve a prosthetic occluder, then the occluder can be delivered or retrieved, but air is introduced into the introducer sheath, risking acute pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, and possibly death

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccluder delivery/retrieval capabilityVSAvoidair introduction into cardiovascular system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end of the front-end loader is beveled instead of having a flat or rounded end. This inverted geometry allows the leading edge to slice through air bubbles and redirect them away from the introducer sheath lumen, preventing air entry while maintaining occluder delivery capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The beveled edge converts the harmful effect of air bubbles (which would normally be pushed into the sheath) into a beneficial outcome by deflecting air away from the introducer sheath. The air that would otherwise be forced into the cardiovascular system is now redirected along the beveled surface and expelled safely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If current front-end loaders are used to retrieve a prosthetic occluder from the patient, then retrieval may be attempted, but the proximal portion of the occluder may catch on the distal end of the front-end loader, potentially preventing removal and necessitating removal of the introducer sheath

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccluder retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidretrieval success without sheath removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The distal end is beveled instead of being flat or rounded, creating a tapered geometry that prevents the occluder fabric from catching on the edge during retrieval. The angled surface allows smooth passage of the occluder into the front-end loader lumen

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The distal end features a localized beveled geometry with specific angular characteristics that differ from the rest of the front-end loader body. This localized geometric modification at the critical interface point enables reliable occluder passage without affecting the overall structure or function of the device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9326758B2Front-end loader for prosthetic occluders and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

The invention pertains to a system, and related methods, for the percutaneous transluminal delivery and retrieval of a prosthetic occluder through a front-end loader. The prosthetic occluder may be, for example, an intracardiac occluder for a patent foramen ovale. The system includes, in one embodiment, a front-end loader having a beveled distal end. In another embodiment, the system includes a front-end loader having a chamfered rim at the beveled distal end.