Braided Stent Delivery Structure With Internal Radiopaque Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent delivery devices with circumferentially positioned radiopaque marker bands face challenges such as increased outer diameter, structural rigidity, and potential catching during deployment, especially in tortuous vessels, limiting their shape and configuration options.
Innovation Solution
A stent delivery apparatus with a self-expanding structure formed by braided strands, featuring internally positioned radiopaque markers secured to the inner surface, maintaining a uniform outer diameter and avoiding external protrusions, along with a protective outer barrier to prevent catching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If radiopaque marker bands are positioned circumferentially about the outer surface of the stent delivery device, then radiopaque visibility is improved, but the outer diameter increases and rigid shoulders are created that can catch on components during deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by positioning radiopaque marker bands on the inner surface of the delivery device rather than the outer surface. This inversion allows the marker bands to be visible during imaging without creating external protrusions that would increase outer diameter or create rigid shoulders that could catch during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the radiopaque marker bands from a two-dimensional outer surface configuration to a three-dimensional internal configuration, allowing them to be embedded within the delivery device structure. This dimensional change enables radiopacity without external geometric disruption.
2Ease of manufacture
If radiopaque marker bands are positioned circumferentially about the outer surface, then radiopaque visibility is improved, but the potential shapes and configurations of the marker bands are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the position of marker bands to the inner surface, the patent unlocks new design possibilities including non-circular cross-sections, varying thicknesses, and complex three-dimensional configurations that would be difficult or impossible to implement on an outer surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables variation of multiple parameters including marker band cross-sectional shape, thickness distribution, longitudinal profile, and material composition without being constrained by outer surface geometry, thereby significantly increasing design versatility.
3Strength
If the delivery device structure is made more rigid to maintain structural integrity, then structural integrity is improved, but the ability to navigate tortuous vessels is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a braided construction that functions as a flexible shell structure, allowing the delivery device to conform to tortuous vessel geometries while maintaining sufficient structural integrity to deliver and deploy the stent at the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamically adaptable structure through braided construction that can transition from a flexible state during navigation to a more rigid state during deployment, optimizing performance for each phase of the procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved stent delivery apparatus is disclosed and configured for having radiopaque properties without sacrificing the structural integrity or functionality of the apparatus itself. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus provides a plurality of individual strands braided together to form a self-expanding stent delivery structure having a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the delivery structure forming an elongated primary shape capable of being inserted into a catheter. An at least one radiopaque marker is coaxially positioned within and secured to a circumferential inner surface of the delivery structure. Accordingly, the delivery structure has a primary outer diameter that is substantially uniform along an entire length of the delivery structure.