Bristle Embolization Device Anchoring and Occlusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional embolization coils often migrate due to technical errors, high blood flow, vessel mismatch, and dilation, leading to non-target embolization and recanalization, which is challenging to address with existing technologies that do not effectively interact with blood flow to induce rapid and permanent vessel occlusion.

Innovation Solution

A bristle device with a longitudinally extending stem and radially extending bristles of varying thickness, material, flexibility, and orientation is used, featuring anchoring and occluding bristles to prevent migration and induce thrombosis, along with a loading system for precise delivery and deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If conventional embolization coils are used, then the device profile can be reduced for easier delivery, but the coil migration risk increases due to insufficient anchor force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice profileVSAvoidcoil migration prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into multiple functional bristle groups (anchoring bristles, occluding bristles, stabilizing bristles) that perform distinct functions. The anchoring bristles specifically address migration prevention by engaging the vessel wall, while maintaining an overall low profile when collapsed for delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different bristle groups have locally optimized properties: anchoring bristles have specific stiffness and length for wall engagement, occluding bristles have different characteristics for thrombosis induction. This local differentiation allows the device to achieve both low profile and high reliability through specialized local functions rather than uniform design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If larger fibres are used to increase anchor force, then migration prevention improves, but the catheter diameter required for delivery increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchor forceVSAvoidcatheter diameter

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring function is segmented into specific bristle groups rather than requiring all bristles to be large. This allows concentrated anchor force from specialized bristles while keeping other bristles smaller to maintain low overall device profile for catheter delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device transitions from a low-profile collapsed state during delivery to a high-profile expanded state at the target site. This dimensional transformation allows large anchor forces to be achieved only when needed, while maintaining small catheter diameter requirements during delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If conventional coils are used, then the device structure can be simple, but the vessel occlusion time is prolonged due to insufficient blood flow interaction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvessel occlusion time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Occluding bristles are specifically positioned and designed to maximize blood flow interaction and thrombogenicity in the central vessel region. This local optimization of occlusion function allows rapid vessel closure without requiring complex device structures throughout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The bristle device is designed to induce thrombosis immediately upon deployment through its thrombogenic bristle surfaces. This preliminary action of thrombus formation begins the occlusion process at the moment of deployment, reducing the waiting time compared to coils that require gradual clot formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If microcatheters are used to access tortuous anatomy, then device accessibility improves, but the risk of lumen spasm and procedure failure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidprocedure success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates flexible bristle elements that can navigate tortuous anatomy without inducing spasm. The flexibility allows the device to conform to vessel geometry while the bristle structure provides sufficient rigidity to maintain position and prevent migration once deployed.

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 bristle device effectively anchors in the lumen, prevents migration, and induces thrombosis to achieve permanent vessel occlusion, reducing recanalization rates and improving the success of embolization procedures by interacting with the entire vessel surface area.

Implementation Method 1

induces thrombosis to achieve permanent vessel occlusion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThrombosis: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS11684371B2Embolization systems

Publication Date: 2023.06.27 EMBO MEDICAL

AI summary

Provided is a device for delivery into a body lumen having a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outwardly from the stem. The device includes at least two different groups or types of bristles.