Cross-linked Material Attachment to Implantable Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for implantable medical devices that attach materials to a frame without using adhesives, requiring a connection that maintains the material in a structured orientation within the dynamic environment of a body vessel, particularly for devices like venous valves where fluid flow directionality is crucial.
Innovation Solution
The use of cross-linkable materials that form cross-link chemical bonds with themselves or other polymers to create a stable attachment to a frame, allowing for movement relative to the frame while maintaining structural integrity, using methods like dehydrothermal treatment or ultraviolet irradiation to cross-link materials such as extracellular matrix materials and polymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesives are used to attach material to the frame, then the attachment strength is improved, but the biocompatibility and long-term stability are worsened due to adhesive degradation and immune response
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesives from the attachment system entirely, extracting the harmful element while maintaining the attachment function through an alternative mechanism. The material is attached to the frame without any adhesive layer, eliminating the source of degradation and immune response while preserving structural integrity through direct mechanical and chemical bonding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the material and frame surface to enable direct bonding. By modifying surface properties and using cross-linking chemistry, the material can attach directly to the frame without adhesives, achieving both strong attachment and long-term biocompatibility through parameter optimization rather than adding intermediate substances.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the material is rigidly fixed to the frame, then the structural stability is improved, but the flexibility and ability to accommodate movement are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic attachment system where the material is cross-linked to the frame but can still undergo controlled movement and deformation. The cross-linking density and distribution are optimized to provide stability while allowing the material to flex and adapt to physiological movements, transforming a static rigid connection into a dynamic adaptive structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies cross-linking with non-uniform density across the material-frame interface. Regions requiring stability have higher cross-link density, while regions requiring flexibility have lower cross-link density. This local variation in attachment strength allows the structure to maintain overall stability while permitting localized movement and adaptation.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cross-linking conditions are applied to attach material to the frame, then the attachment durability is improved, but the material flexibility is worsened due to excessive cross-linking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies cross-linking to only the necessary regions and to a controlled extent, rather than fully cross-linking the entire material. This partial cross-linking approach provides sufficient attachment durability at the material-frame interface while leaving the bulk material sufficiently uncross-linked to maintain its natural flexibility and mechanical properties.
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 provides a secure and flexible attachment of materials to medical device frames within body vessels, ensuring effective valve function and fluid flow regulation without the use of adhesives, enhancing the durability and stability of the devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first region of cross-linkable material can be joined to a second region of the cross-linkable material by treating the first region and the second region with conditions that promote the formation of cross-link chemical bonds
Implementation Method 2
using methods like dehydrothermal treatment or ultraviolet irradiation to cross-link materials
Implementation Method 3
using methods like dehydrothermal treatment or ultraviolet irradiation to cross-link materials
Data Source
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AI summary
Medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same, are provided. A medical device includes a frame and a cross-linkable material having at least one cross-linked region and a non cross-linked region, where the cross-linked region maintains the cross-linkable material in connection to the frame. A method of making an implantable medical device includes providing a frame and covering the frame with a cross-linkable material. The method also includes cross-linking at least one region of the cross-linkable material by joining a first region of the cross-linkable material to a second region of the cross- linkable material to form a point of attachment. A method of treating a subject includes the step of implanting the medical device at a point of treatment.