Coupled Guide for Contralateral Aortic Endograft Cannulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cannulation of the contralateral limb of aortic endoprostheses is challenging, especially in complex arterial systems with iliac tortuosities or large aneurysms, leading to prolonged procedures and increased radiation exposure.

Innovation Solution

A device with a coupling mechanism that allows configuration changes to engage and guide a homolateral structure, enabling precise positioning of the contralateral limb by using the homolateral delivery system as a guide, reducing the need for multiple catheters and simplifying the procedure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cannulation techniques are used for contralateral limb, then the procedure can be performed, but the procedure duration is prolonged and radiation exposure is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannulation durationVSAvoidradiation exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guiding element as an intermediary tool that is first positioned in the contralateral limb under fluoroscopic guidance, then used as a mechanical guide to facilitate the cannulation of the homolateral limb. This intermediary guiding element enables more precise and faster cannulation by providing a physical pathway, thereby reducing the overall procedure duration and subsequent radiation exposure requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by first establishing the guiding element in the contralateral limb before performing the homolateral cannulation. This preliminary positioning of the guide allows the operator to prepare the pathway and alignment in advance, making the subsequent cannulation procedure faster and more accurate, thus reducing total procedure time and radiation exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple catheters of different shapes are used for difficult cannulation, then cannulation can be achieved, but procedural costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecannulation successVSAvoidnumber of catheters

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the guiding element multi-functional by designing it to serve multiple purposes: first as a fluoroscopic guide for positioning, then as a mechanical guide for cannulation, and potentially as a support structure during deployment. This universal guiding element can handle various cannulation scenarios including difficult anatomical configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized catheters and reducing procedural complexity and costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If escort catheter diameter is increased to accommodate snare wire, then contralateral cannulation is enabled, but delivery system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontralateral cannulation capabilityVSAvoiddelivery system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the delivery system into distinct functional components: a separate guiding element for contralateral limb positioning, a dedicated homolateral delivery system for cannulation, and a coupling mechanism for integration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the guiding element can be designed specifically for contralateral access without requiring the homolateral delivery system to accommodate larger diameters or complex structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4674389A1Device to facilitate cannulation of aortic endoprosthesis contralateral limb

Publication Date: 2026.01.07 UNIVERSITY OF STRASBOURG

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Figure 8~11

AI summary

Device (20) intended to position a guiding element, the latter being intended to guide a first delivery system designed to release a contralateral limb of an aortic endoprosthesis. The device (20) comprises a coupling mechanism (22), like a gripper, configured to cooperate with a sheath (70) of a homolateral delivery system (62) to guide device (20) while it is moved towards a main body (11) of endoprosthesis.