Bifurcated 3D Filter Assembly for Stroke Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing implantable filter devices at the bifurcation zone of the common carotid artery are ineffective in preventing embolic materials from entering the internal carotid artery, especially in patients with carotid stenosis due to atherosclerosis, as they fail to securely fasten and maintain sealing, leading to turbulent flow and potential aneurysm formation.
Innovation Solution
A 3D filter-stent assembly with a self-expandable braided framework that includes a filtering sleeve and an expandable main body component, designed to be permanently implanted at the bifurcation zone, featuring a braided framework with interlocked multilayer construction and a phosphonate-coated surface to enhance emboli rerouting efficacy and prevent migration, ensuring adequate sealing and blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional filter device is placed at the bifurcation zone to divert emboli to the ECA, then embolic materials are redirected away from the ICA, but the filter device fails to securely fasten and maintain sealing, leading to turbulent flow and potential aneurysm formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a filter device with a stent into a single integrated assembly. The stent provides structural support and anchoring within the common carotid artery, while the filter component diverges embolic materials toward the external carotid artery. This merging ensures secure fastening and reliable sealing at the bifurcation zone, eliminating the instability and harmful turbulent flow associated with conventional filter devices alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is divided into distinct functional segments: a stent portion for anchoring and a filter portion for emboli diversion. The stent segment ensures secure placement and sealing in the common carotid artery, while the filter segment specifically targets embolic materials. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function while working together to prevent stroke.
2Productivity
If a conventional stent is used to treat carotid stenosis, then blood flow is restored, but the stent migrates without adequate fastening zone, causing lack of sealing and potential aneurysm formation
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the stent with a filter component, the invention creates a dual-function device where the stent provides both blood flow restoration and secure anchoring. The filter component acts as an additional fastening element at the bifurcation zone, preventing stent migration while maintaining sealing. This combined structure eliminates the migration and sealing deficiencies of conventional stents.
3Device complexity
If a gap occurs between the filter device and stent, then device complexity is reduced, but turbulent flow is produced resulting in accelerated aneurysm formation
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design merges the filter and stent into a single unified structure with continuous material construction. This eliminates gaps between separate components, ensuring smooth blood flow and preventing turbulent flow that would accelerate aneurysm formation. The unified structure maintains device integrity while avoiding the harmful effects of gaps.
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 assembly effectively prevents embolic materials from entering the internal carotid artery while minimizing the risk of filter occlusion and maintaining blood flow, reducing the risk of stroke by securely diverting embolic materials away from the brain and improving perfusion in the internal carotid artery.
Implementation Method 1
a filtering sleeve (2) formed of a self-expandable braided framework able to expand from a radially compressed state in a delivery configuration to a radially expanded state
Implementation Method 2
The wires (25) may be coated with a phosphonate or a gem-bisphosphonate so as to prevent thrombus formation
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An implantable permanent filter assembly (1) for deployment in a bifurcated vessel comprises a main vessel and at least two branches. This assembly comprises a filtering sleeve (2) formed of an expendable braided framework (20) able to expand from a radially compressed state in a delivery configuration to a radially expanded state. The filtering sleeve extends along an axis and defines a cylindrical lumen devoid of impermeable layer, having a distal end configured to extend toward the branches of the bifurcated vessel and a proximal end configured to extend toward away from the branches of the bifurcated vessel. The braided framework has a plurality of layers (22,23,24) of wires (25) made of biocompatible material, each layer forming a mesh, the meshes forming a lattice with a plurality of wires of each layers. The lattice, when observed normal with respect to a wall of the implantable endoluminal prosthesis, defines polygonal openings, the diameter of the wire being at least 20 micrometres and at most 100 micrometres.