Bifurcated Vascular Stent Segments Resisting Collapse

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Solution Overview

Problem

Treatment of occlusions in branched vasculature poses challenges due to the need for medical devices that effectively restore blood flow while maintaining structural integrity and conforming to the vessel's cross-sectional profile, especially at bifurcations.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising elongated segments with a support structure and covering material, designed to be self-expandable or balloon expandable, which can be positioned at bifurcated portions of an occluded lumen to maintain radial wall strength and resist collapse, ensuring a combined cross-section that matches or exceeds the intraluminal cross-section of the non-bifurcated portion, thereby promoting unobstructed and evenly distributed blood flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single large-diameter graft is used to treat the non-bifurcated portion, then the intraluminal cross section is restored, but it cannot effectively treat the bifurcated portions simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintraluminal cross sectionVSAvoidability to treat bifurcated portions

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple elongated segments (first, second, and optionally third segments) that can be positioned in different portions of the occluded lumen including bifurcated portions. Each segment can be independently sized and positioned to treat specific anatomical regions, allowing the device to address both the main vessel and branch vessels effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate devices are used to treat bifurcated portions, then each portion can be treated individually, but the combined cross section may not match the non-bifurcated portion and structural integrity is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to treat bifurcated portionsVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple elongated segments are connected together to form a single integrated device structure. The segments are joined in a manner that maintains structural integrity while allowing each segment to be optimally sized for its specific location. This merging approach ensures that the combined cross-sectional area of segments in bifurcated portions matches the non-bifurcated portion while maintaining overall device stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed with predetermined configurations and connections between segments that are established before implantation. The segments are pre-assembled or pre-configured to ensure proper alignment and structural integrity when deployed, eliminating the need for complex intra-procedural assembly that could compromise structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If elongated segments with sufficient radial wall strength are used to resist collapse, then blood flow is maintained, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblood flow maintenanceVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elongated segments incorporate flexible covering materials that provide radial wall strength to resist vessel collapse while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. These flexible membranes or shells are sufficient to maintain patency without requiring complex rigid support structures, thereby balancing reliability with device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device effectively restores blood flow through occluded bifurcated vessels by maintaining structural integrity and conforming to the vessel's cross-sectional profile, minimizing leakage and ensuring consistent flow characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

the first and second elongated segments having a radial wall strength sufficient to resist inward radial force exerted by the at least partially occluded vessel to resist collapse of the first and second primary lumens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial wall strength:

Implementation Method 2

the first and second elongated segments are self-expandable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expandable:

Implementation Method 3

the first and second elongated segments are balloon expandable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBalloon expandable:

Data Source

PatentUS20230380951A1Devices and methods for treating occlusions

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

A device having a support structure and a covering material, the device operable to be delivered to an at least partially occluded lumen including a non-bifurcated portion, a first bifurcated portion, and a second bifurcated portion, the device comprising a body including a primary portion, a first branch, and a second branch, the primary portion defining a primary lumen, the primary portion defined between a first open end and a flow divider, the first branch defining a first branch lumen, the first branch extending from the primary portion at the flow divider to a first branch open end, and the second branch defining a second branch lumen, the second branch extending from the primary portion at the flow divider to a second branch open end, the body having a radial wall strength sufficient to resist inward radial force and collapse of the primary, first branch, and second branch lumens.