Delivery Nosecone With Ball-and-Socket Joint for Curved Vasculature

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endovascular delivery systems face challenges in efficiently delivering prosthetic valves to target locations within the body, particularly due to high axial forces and frictional issues when navigating curved vasculature, which can lead to gap formation and tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A delivery apparatus with a nosecone featuring a ball and socket joint that allows the distal end portion to pivot relative to the proximal end, reducing axial forces and friction by enabling the nosecone to adapt to the curvature of the vasculature, thereby minimizing gap formation and tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid nosecone is used in the delivery apparatus, then structural strength is maintained, but axial forces and friction increase when navigating curved vasculature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidaxial forces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The nosecone is divided into two separate portions: a proximal portion that maintains structural strength and a distal portion that provides flexibility. These portions are connected through a ball-and-socket joint, allowing the distal portion to pivot independently to follow vasculature curvature while the proximal portion remains rigid for structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nosecone transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic articulated structure. The ball-and-socket joint enables the distal portion to pivot and adapt its orientation dynamically in response to contact forces from the vasculature wall, reducing friction and axial forces during navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid nosecone is used in the delivery apparatus, then structural stability is maintained, but gap formation occurs when navigating curved vasculature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidgap formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nosecone is segmented into proximal and distal portions connected by a ball-and-socket joint. This segmentation allows the distal portion to pivot independently, maintaining continuous contact with the vasculature wall and preventing gaps from forming between the delivery apparatus and the vessel wall during navigation through curved anatomy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a rigid nosecone is used in the delivery apparatus, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but tissue damage occurs due to high friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidtissue damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The articulated nosecone with its ball-and-socket joint allows the distal portion to pivot and follow the natural curvature of the vasculature. This dynamic adaptation reduces friction between the delivery apparatus and the vessel wall, thereby minimizing tissue damage while the manufacturing process remains relatively simple using standard medical device fabrication techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the nosecone is made flexible to reduce friction, then navigation through curved vasculature improves, but structural strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenavigation capabilityVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The nosecone is segmented into a rigid proximal portion that provides structural strength and a flexible distal portion that enables navigation through curved vasculature. The ball-and-socket joint connects these portions, allowing the distal portion to pivot and adapt to vessel curvature while the proximal portion maintains the necessary structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the nosecone have different mechanical properties: the proximal portion is rigid for structural support, while the distal portion is flexible for navigation. This local differentiation of material properties or structural characteristics allows each portion to fulfill its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 apparatus reduces the axial force required for delivery, enhances bendability, and minimizes friction, improving the safety and efficacy of prosthetic valve implantation by reducing the risk of leakage and tissue damage during navigation through complex vasculature.

Implementation Method 1

The nosecone is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion by a ball and socket joint

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBall and socket joint mechanism:

Data Source

PatentEP4114310B1Delivery apparatus having nosecone with a ball joint

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 EDWARDS LIFESCIENCES CORP

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AI summary

A delivery apparatus for an implantable medical device includes a handle, a shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion being coupled to the handle, and a nosecone coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft. The nosecone includes a proximal end portion and a distal end portion pivotably coupled to the proximal end portion.