Customizable Intraluminal Bronchial Stent Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stents for treating tracheo-bronchomalacia in children are either too thick, causing airway obstruction, or have high in-growth rates, making them difficult to remove, and there is a need for a treatment that prevents airway collapse without adverse effects of intubation or tracheal stents.

Innovation Solution

A conformable stent with a biocompatible material, designed for additive manufacturing, featuring a screw-like shape and customizable dimensions, is deployed using a guidewire and driver system to provide support to the airway, allowing for precise sizing and secure placement without obstructing airflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional silicon stents are used to prevent airway collapse, then airway support is improved, but the stent walls are too thick causing airway obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway supportVSAvoidairway lumen area

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a thin-walled stent design with wall thickness of 0.5-2mm, utilizing flexible biocompatible materials that can provide structural support while maintaining adequate airway lumen area. The thin film structure allows sufficient airway patency unlike conventional thick-walled silicon stents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Area of stationary object

If metal expandable stents are used to reduce wall thickness, then airway lumen is improved, but in-growth rate is high making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway lumen areaVSAvoidstent removability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to biocompatible polymers or shape memory alloys, which provide sufficient mechanical support with thinner walls while maintaining low in-growth rates. This allows the stent to be removable after treatment, addressing the reliability concern with metal stents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If stents are customized for children's small airways, then airway fit is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway sizingVSAvoidstent fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs shape memory materials that allow the stent to be deployed in a compressed state and then expand to the desired custom dimensions within the airway. This dynamic deployment capability enables customization for different airway sizes without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each size variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Strength

If conventional stents are placed in trachea or bronchus, then airway collapse prevention is improved, but adverse effects of intubation and obstruction occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway collapse preventionVSAvoidairway obstruction and migration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the stent with varying local properties including tapered dimensions, asymmetric wall thickness distribution, and localized engagement features that adapt to the specific geometry of the airway. This local customization reduces migration and obstruction risks while maintaining collapse prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10813776B2Customizable intraluminal bronchial stents and methods for supporting a bronchus using the same

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

AI summary

Embodiments relate to stents for supporting an airway or other duct or plenum. The stents can be rapidly customized and inserted into the airway, obviating the need for subsequent intubation or for invasive procedures.