Delivery Catheter Compression Coil for Aneurysm Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical devices for treating intracranial aneurysms face challenges in achieving high packing densities, flexibility for navigation through tortuous vasculature, and ease of deployment and retrieval, while minimizing thrombogenicity and mass effect on surrounding tissue.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a vascular graft with a crimped, non-self-expanding biocompatible structure and a core element that creates a capillary effect to promote clotting, along with a delivery catheter system that allows for secure advancement and retrieval of the device, including a compression coil and engaging member for distally directed force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent-graft is used for aneurysm treatment, then complete reconstruction of the damaged vessel is achieved, but the device is stiff, hard to deliver/retract, and highly thrombogenic
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two functional components: a delivery catheter system for navigation and deployment, and a separate occlusive device (coil, balloon, or embolic agent) for aneurysm filling. This segmentation allows the delivery system to be flexible and retrievable while the occlusive device provides reliable aneurysm treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
A delivery catheter acts as an intermediary tool that carries the occlusive device to the target site, enables precise positioning, and allows retrieval if needed. The catheter system mediates between the operator and the occlusive device, providing control without requiring the occlusive device itself to be flexible or retrievable.
2Reliability
If polymeric resins or injectable materials are used to fill the aneurysm, then the aneurysm sac can be filled, but dispersion control is difficult and retrieval is impossible if improperly delivered
Solution Approach 1:
The delivery catheter serves as an intermediary that contains the embolic material during delivery, allowing controlled release at the target site. The catheter system enables the operator to control where and how the material is released, and can retrieve the catheter with any remaining material if improper delivery occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery catheter uses a flexible polymer sheath to contain and deliver the embolic material. This flexible shell allows navigation through tortuous vasculature while maintaining containment of the material, enabling controlled delivery and potential retrieval.
3Reliability
If a balloon is used to fill the aneurysm sac, then effective filling is achieved, but the balloon is difficult to retrieve, cannot be visualized unless filled with contrast, has rupture possibility, and does not conform to varying aneurysm shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the delivery function (catheter) from the occlusive function (various embolic devices). This allows the use of different occlusive devices (coils, balloons, embolic agents) that can be selected based on aneurysm morphology, while the catheter provides consistent deliverability and retrievability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing the type of occlusive device based on aneurysm parameters (size, shape, location). Different devices can be delivered through the same catheter system, enabling adaptation to varying aneurysm shapes and sizes while maintaining deliverability and retrievability advantages.
4Reliability
If metal coils or fibered coils are used to fill the aneurysm, then mechanical occlusion is achieved, but the devices are stiff, bulky, have high coefficient of friction, and are difficult to introduce into tortuous vessel sites
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the flexible delivery catheter from the occlusive coil device. The catheter provides the flexibility needed to navigate tortuous vasculature, while the coil device provides reliable mechanical occlusion once delivered to the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery catheter uses a flexible polymer construction that can navigate tortuous vasculature. This flexible shell contains the stiffer coil device during delivery, allowing the coil to be introduced into difficult-to-reach locations without requiring the coil itself to be flexible.
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
The system achieves high packing densities, flexibility for navigation, and effective clotting within the aneurysm sac without damaging surrounding tissue, enabling secure deployment and retrieval for repositioning or withdrawal.
Implementation Method 1
a compression coil positioned over the elongated member to apply a distally directed force on the device
Implementation Method 2
a core element that creates a capillary effect to promote clotting
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering a device into a body lumen of a patient, the system including a device having a marker band and a tube at a proximal portion, and a pusher member having a ribbon and a ball or hook at a distal portion of the delivery member and a compression coil positioned over the ribbon, the ball or hook releasably engageable with the tube.