Bidirectional Vena Cava Filter with Asymmetric Support Struts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inferior vena cava filters lack bidirectional controlled placement capabilities, making them difficult to retrieve and reposition if initially placed incorrectly, and they often become permanently lodged in the vascular wall due to intima coverage and tilting issues.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional controlled placement inferior vena cava filter with a mesh-like structure and support portions that allow for point contact with the blood vessel wall, enabling easy retrieval and repositioning through either the femoral or jugular vein, featuring a cross-linked strut configuration that supports both positive and reverse directional placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the filter is provided with a vertical rod along the axial direction that is in close contact with the blood vessel wall, then the filter can be stably supported in the blood vessel, but the vascular intima will climb and completely cover the vertical rod over time, making the filter unable to be retrieved
Solution Approach 1:
The filter structure is divided into multiple components: the filter portion, first support portion with first support struts, and second support portion with second support struts. This segmentation allows the filter to achieve stability through distributed support while maintaining retrievability because none of the individual strut components provide complete intima coverage like a continuous vertical rod would.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the filter struts in close contact with the blood vessel wall (conventional approach), the patent inverts this by having the struts extend outwardly away from the blood vessel wall. This inversion prevents intima coverage while maintaining filter stability through the outward extension and anchoring mechanism.
2Reliability
If the filter is provided with a conical shape with densely arranged struts toward the tip, then the filter can effectively intercept thrombi when placed in the correct orientation, but the filter cannot be inversely placed and loses versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs asymmetric Strut arrangements where the first support struts and second support struts have different configurations and orientations. This asymmetry allows the filter to maintain effective thrombus interception in the primary orientation while also enabling inverse placement capability, as the asymmetric structure is designed to function in both orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure is designed with universal functionality to operate effectively in both normal and inverse orientations. The first and second support portions are configured to provide stable support in either direction, making the filter adaptable to different implantation scenarios and procedural requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the retrieval hook is disposed at the tip end of the cone, then the filter can be retrieved when properly positioned, but when the filter is tilted the retrieval hook becomes closely attached to the blood vessel wall and cannot be captured
Solution Approach 1:
The retrieval hook is positioned at the end of the first support strut rather than at the tip of a conical filter body. This dimensional repositioning places the retrieval hook in a location that is less susceptible to blood vessel wall contact when the filter is tilted, improving the reliability of retrieval operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The first support strut acts as an intermediary element that connects the filter portion to the retrieval hook. This intermediary structure provides a stable attachment point for the retrieval hook that is not directly affected by tilting or blood vessel wall contact, ensuring reliable retrieval capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the filter is placed through the jugular vein, then the filter can be implanted in the inferior vena cava, but the filter cannot be retrieved into the sheath and replaced if placement is incorrect
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs dynamic support structures with the first and second support portions that can adapt to different implantation approaches. The support struts are configured to provide stable anchoring regardless of the implantation direction, enabling the filter to be successfully implanted and retrieved through either femoral or jugular vein access.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure is designed with universal implantation capability, allowing it to be successfully deployed and retrieved through different vascular access routes (femoral or jugular vein). The bidirectional support portion configuration provides the versatility needed for multiple implantation scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inferior vena cava filter capable of bidirectional controlled placement is provided. The inferior vena cava filter includes a filter portion and a support portion. The filter portion is configured as a mesh-like structure of a plurality of struts cross-linked. The support portion includes a first support portion and a second support portion disposed on opposite sides of the filter portion, and the first support portion and the second support portion have openings extending in opposite directions. The first support portion extends outwardly radially with respect to a center point of the inferior vena cava filter in a positive direction and then curls inwardly radially in a reverse direction. The second support portion extends outwardly radially with respect to the center point in the positive direction. The present disclosure provides a bidirectional controlled placement inferior vena cava filter which can be implanted and retrieved through the femoral vein and the jugular vein. The filter has good thrombus filtering effect, can be implanted for a longer period of time, and is easier to be captured and retrieved.