Delivery Catheter Tip Lip Pocket for Endoprosthesis Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical device delivery systems face challenges in efficiently transitioning implantable devices from a compact delivery configuration to an enlarged deployed configuration, particularly in maintaining the device in a compact state during deployment and ensuring smooth retraction post-deployment.

Innovation Solution

The delivery system incorporates a delivery catheter with a tip portion featuring a lip that defines a pocket to receive the endoprosthesis and a constraint that maintains it in the compact configuration, which can unravel to release the device, along with an elastically deformable lip that transitions to a lower profile for easy retraction, and a serrated portion to engage the constraint for mechanical stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a delivery system uses a removable sheath to facilitate device deployment, then the device can transition from compact to deployed configuration, but the system complexity increases and the retraction process becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice configuration transitionVSAvoiddelivery system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the sheath from the delivery system, replacing it with a constraint mechanism that integrates directly with the delivery catheter. The constraint is a separate component that can be released to allow device deployment, eliminating the need for a complex removable sheath assembly while maintaining the ability to transition from compact to deployed configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional components: the delivery catheter, the constraint mechanism, and the implantable device. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall system while enabling efficient device deployment and retraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Length of moving object

If the delivery system maintains the endoprosthesis in a compact configuration during delivery, then the profile is reduced for easier passage, but the mechanism to maintain and release this configuration adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery profileVSAvoidconstraint mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The constraint is designed as a flexible, thin-walled structure that can be easily deformed and positioned. This flexible constraint mechanism maintains the compact configuration of the endoprosthesis during delivery while requiring minimal structural complexity, allowing smooth passage through the body and efficient release at the deployment site.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the lip structure is rigid to provide stable support for the endoprosthesis, then the device can be securely held, but the retraction process becomes difficult due to snagging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice retentionVSAvoidretraction smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lip is designed as a dynamic, elastically deformable structure rather than a rigid component. It can elastically deform to accommodate the endoprosthesis during delivery and then smoothly retract after release, preventing snagging while maintaining secure device retention. The elastic properties allow the lip to adapt its shape during different phases of the delivery and retraction process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enables seamless transition from compact to deployed configurations, ensuring secure deployment and efficient retraction of the endoprosthesis, reducing the risk of snagging and facilitating smooth passage through the body, while maintaining the compact profile during delivery.

Implementation Method 1

the lip of the tip portion is elastically deformable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a constraint releasably maintaining the endoprosthesis in the compact, delivery configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical engagement: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS20230081356A1Delivery system with device deployment features, and associated methods

Publication Date: 2023.03.16 WL GORE & ASSOC INC

AI summary

Delivery systems (100) are described that include endoprostheses (102) configured to transition from compact, delivery configurations to enlarged, deployed configurations, delivery catheters including body (108) and tip (112) portions, the endoprostheses being received on body portions in the compact, delivery configuration, the tip portions including lips (114) configured to define pockets (114A) that releasably receive the endoprosthesis in the compact, delivery configuration, and constraints releasably maintaining the endoprostheses in the compact, delivery configuration. Additional and alternative delivery system features and associated methods are provided.