Covered Stent Partial Bonding for Flexibility in Curved Anatomy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing covered stents are less likely to bend due to bonding between inner and outer tapes, hindering their flexibility and movement, especially when deployed in curved or complex anatomical regions.

Innovation Solution

The stent device features a cover that is partially bonded to the stent, allowing for increased flexibility and bendability by reducing the number of bonding points, particularly in the central portion, thus enhancing its ability to conform to the shape of internal organs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cover is fully bonded to the stent surface, then the structural integrity and coverage are improved, but the flexibility and bendability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover bonding is segmented into multiple discrete bonding regions along the longitudinal axis, with unbonded intervals between them. This segmentation allows the cover to maintain structural attachment while preserving flexibility in the unbonded regions, enabling the stent to conform to curved anatomical structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cover have different bonding characteristics - some regions are bonded to provide structural support and prevent migration, while other regions remain unbonded to provide flexibility and conformability. This local differentiation of bonding quality resolves the contradiction between overall structural integrity and local flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the cover is fully bonded to the stent surface, then the coverage and protection are improved, but the ease of deployment and retrieval deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecoverageVSAvoidease of deployment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented bonding pattern creates controlled separation zones that facilitate the deployment and retrieval processes. During deployment, the unbonded regions allow the cover to expand and separate from the stent more easily. During retrieval, the partial bonding maintains sufficient coverage while reducing adhesion forces that would otherwise complicate removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple bonding points are used, then the structural stability is improved, but the risk of cover separation or breakage during expansion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidrisk of cover separation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a continuous bonding pattern that creates high stress concentration points, the bonding is segmented into multiple shorter bonding regions. This segmentation distributes mechanical stresses more evenly across the cover-stent interface, reducing the likelihood of catastrophic failure at any single bonding point during expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unbonded intervals act as cushioning zones that can absorb and distribute mechanical stresses during expansion. These pre-designed unstressed regions prevent stress concentration at bonding interfaces, thereby reducing the risk of cover separation or breakage before actual deployment occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20260013979A1Stent device

Publication Date: 2026.01.15 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

A stent device includes a stent formed in a tubular shape by weaving wires and a cover covering at least a part of the stent. The cover is partially bonded to parts rather than a whole surface of the stent.