Biodegradable Stent with Electrospun Covering for Vascular Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for vascular abnormalities such as aneurisms and perforations in luminal vessels are often invasive, cumbersome, and lack effective solutions for long-term management, with existing implants being bulky and not widely accepted, and treatments for aneurisms like endovascular coiling and surgical clipping having complications and limitations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a stent-like body coated with a biodegradable material and covered with an electrospun fibrous covering, which can be expanded to immobilize the device at the treatment site, providing stability and support for the vessel wall, and potentially coated with therapeutic agents to minimize hyperplastic response or induce closure of aneurysms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current implants are used for perforation management, then the perforation can be sealed, but the implants are big and bulky making them difficult to use and not widely accepted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a thin, flexible fibrous covering material that conforms to the vessel wall rather than using bulky rigid implants. This thin film structure provides effective perforation sealing while being easy to deploy through catheter-based delivery, directly resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a biodegradable covering material that serves its function temporarily to seal the perforation and then degrades naturally in the body. This disposable approach eliminates the need for permanent bulky implants, improving both usability and long-term patient outcomes by avoiding foreign body complications
2Reliability
If non-biodegradable grafts are used for fusiform aneurisms, then the aneurism can be treated, but the grafts collect thrombi that can break off and get pushed further downstream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the key parameter of material biodegradability from non-biodegradable to biodegradable. This parameter change transforms the graft from a permanent thrombus-collecting structure to a temporary support that degrades after facilitating healing, eliminating the source of thrombus-related harm while maintaining treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable covering material serves its protective function during the critical healing period and then naturally degrades and is discarded by the body's metabolic processes. This temporary presence and natural disposal eliminates long-term thrombus collection risks while providing necessary support during the vulnerable healing phase
3Reliability
If surgical bypass is performed for fusiform aneurisms, then the aneurism can be treated, but the procedure is technically challenging and has many complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex surgical bypass procedure and replaces it with a simplified endovascular approach. By delivering the treatment device through a catheter inserted percutaneously, the complex open surgical procedure is eliminated, reducing technical challenges and complications while maintaining aneurism treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a self-expanding stent-like body as an intermediary device that provides the necessary structural support and aneurism exclusion without requiring complex surgical anastomosis. This intermediary device simplifies the treatment by replacing the complex surgical bypass with a less invasive stent-based approach
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 occludes abnormal openings in luminal vessels, allowing for healing by providing sustained support and reducing the risk of complications, with the biodegradable components ensuring temporary functionality and minimizing long-term issues.
Implementation Method 1
an electrospun fibrous covering that covers the stent like body for increased stability during placement
Implementation Method 2
The covering and the stent like body may be made from a biodegradable material
Implementation Method 3
The stent like body may be expandable
Data Source
AI summary
This application is directed to a device comprising a covering attached to the device. A process of making a device with a specific covering attached is also disclosed. The application further discloses a method for the treatment of perforations, fistulas, ruptures, dehiscence and aneurisms in luminal vessels and organs of a subject.