Braided Stent Delivery Sleeve for Low-Friction Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent delivery systems experience frictional forces between the outer deployment tube and the self-expanding stent, making it difficult to load and deploy the stent.
Innovation Solution
A stent delivery system with a braided member positioned radially outward from the stent and inward from the outer shaft, coupled with tether members, reduces friction by allowing the outer shaft to retract relative to the inner shaft, exposing the stent and enabling it to self-expand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the outer deployment tube directly contacts the self-expanding stent during delivery, then the stent can be contained and delivered to the target site, but frictional forces between the tube and stent make loading and deployment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A friction-reducing member (inner tube or coating) is introduced as an intermediary between the outer deployment tube and the stent. This mediator reduces direct contact and frictional forces, allowing the stent to be easily loaded onto the inner shaft and deployed by retracting the outer shaft. The intermediary maintains stent containment while minimizing resistance during manipulation.
2Reliability
If the outer shaft is retracted to deploy the stent, then the stent can self-expand to treat the target tissue, but frictional forces resist this retraction motion
Solution Approach 1:
The friction-reducing member serves as a mediator that facilitates the retraction of the outer shaft. By reducing friction between the outer shaft inner surface and the stent, it enables smooth retraction motion, allowing the stent to self-expand reliably at the target site without excessive resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-reducing member changes the friction parameter at the contact interface between the outer shaft and stent. By modifying the surface properties (through material selection or coating), the coefficient of friction is reduced, enabling easier retraction and deployment.
Data Source
AI summary
An example stent delivery system is disclosed. The example stent delivery system includes an outer shaft having a distal end region, an inner surface and a lumen extending therein. The delivery system also includes an inner shaft extending within the outer shaft lumen, the inner shaft having a stent receiving region disposed along a distal end region thereof. Additionally, the delivery system includes a stent disposed along the stent receiving region and a braided member positioned radially outward from an outer surface of the stent and radially inward from the inner surface of the outer shaft, the braided member being attached to an outer surface of the inner member proximal of the stent. Additionally, the delivery system includes a plurality of tether members coupled to the braided member, wherein longitudinal retraction of the outer shaft relative to the inner shaft exposes the stent from the braided member.