Bifurcating Iliac Branch Device for Short Common Iliac Arteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent-grafts face challenges in treating iliac aneurysms due to the short length of the common iliac artery, limiting the applicability of endovascular aneurysmal exclusion therapy.
Innovation Solution
A bifurcated stent-graft system with a bifurcating branch device and branch extensions that can be deployed proximal to the aortic bifurcation, accommodating a wide range of iliac artery diameters and allowing treatment beyond the common iliac artery length, using self-expanding or balloon-expandable stents and graft materials like PET and PTFE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional stent-graft is used for iliac aneurysm treatment, then the procedure is simple, but the short length of the common iliac artery prevents effective treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The stent-graft system is divided into multiple segments: a bifurcated stent-graft with two branch limbs, a bifurcating branch device with body segment and branch limbs, and modular branch extensions. This segmentation allows the treatment to extend proximal to the anatomical iliac bifurcation rather than being limited by the short common iliac artery length, enabling effective treatment of iliac aneurysms in patients with short common iliac arteries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular bifurcating branch device is used to extend treatment proximal to the aortic bifurcation, then adaptability to different iliac artery diameters is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bifurcating branch device is designed with a flared portion that can accommodate a wide range of iliac artery diameters, making the device universal for treating patients with varying vessel sizes. The modular design with interchangeable branch extensions allows the same basic device structure to adapt to different anatomical configurations, achieving multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components of the stent-graft system are designed to nest within each other during delivery and deployment. The branch extensions are delivered through the branch limbs of the bifurcating device, and the entire assembly is delivered through the bifurcated stent-graft. This nesting approach allows complex modular functionality to be achieved while maintaining a relatively compact delivery profile.
3Reliability
If the stent-graft system is designed with a flared portion and multiple segments, then stability and prevention of migration is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flared portion of the bifurcating branch device body segment is designed with localized geometric features that provide radial expansion and apposition to the vessel wall, preventing migration at specific critical locations. The different segments of the device have optimized local structures: the bifurcated stent-graft has fixation features in the aorta, the branch device has flared portions for radial force, and the extensions have distal fixation elements, with each local structure optimized for its specific function.
Data Source
AI summary
The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to a stent-graft system including a bifurcated stent-graft, a first bifurcating branch device, and a first branch extension. The bifurcated stent-graft includes a body, a first branch limb, and a second branch limb. The first bifurcating branch device includes a body segment coupled to the first branch limb of the bifurcated stent-graft, a first branch limb, and a second branch limb. The first branch extension is within the first branch limb of the first bifurcating branch device and within an external iliac artery. The first bifurcating branch device has a wide patient applicability since the treatment can be extended proximal to the anatomical iliac bifurcation and is not limited by the common iliac artery length. The stent-graft system is suitable to treat a wide range of internal and external iliac artery diameters.