Caped Stent Free-Floating Covers for Tortuous Vessel Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current endovascular devices struggle to effectively treat aneurysms and fistulas, particularly in tortuous anatomy, due to limited flexibility and kinking, and fail to provide immediate blood flow diversion and thrombus formation, leading to complications and high morbidity.
Innovation Solution
A covered stent with a free-floating cover configuration, allowing for flexible deployment and attachment at one end, minimizing stiffness and kinking, enabling effective blood diversion and thrombus formation in tortuous vessels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a covered stent with fixed cover attachment is used, then structural support and coverage are improved, but flexibility and ability to navigate tortuous anatomy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into multiple segments or sections that can move independently relative to each other and the stent frame. This segmentation allows the cover to maintain attachment points for structural support while creating zones of flexibility that can accommodate tortuous vessel anatomy without kinking or compromising coverage integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover transitions from a static, fixed attachment design to a dynamic configuration where portions of the cover can shift, flex, or adjust their position relative to the stent frame. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt to varying vessel geometries while maintaining adequate coverage and structural support where needed.
2Reliability
If a covered stent with full cover attachment is used, then coverage integrity is improved, but device flexibility and ability to bend without kinking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cover have different attachment characteristics. Critical areas requiring stable coverage maintain fixed attachment to the stent frame, while non-critical or transition zones have reduced or flexible attachment. This local differentiation allows the device to maintain coverage integrity at essential locations while providing flexibility in other areas to prevent kinking during navigation and deployment.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional covered stents are used in tortuous vessels, then delivery is simplified, but device performance and ability to maintain coverage without kinking deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates dynamic elements such as flexible attachment points, movable sections, or compliant materials that allow the device to navigate tortuous vessels during delivery while maintaining coverage integrity upon deployment. This dynamic design enables the stent to conform to complex vessel geometries without compromising the effectiveness of the coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An intravascular stent having a stent body and at least one cover overlying the stent body to cover the first portion of the stent body. The cover has a first region attached to the stent body and a second region unattached to the stent body. Multiple covers can be attached to the stent body in overlapping arrangement, each cover having a free unattached end. The free ends reduce the overall stiffness of the stent.