Implant Delivery System with Radio-Opaque Markers for Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical implant delivery systems for pressure sensors in the cardiovascular system are inefficient, requiring extensive use of disposable equipment, prolonged procedure times, and reliance on static angiogram images for precise positioning, which can lead to inaccuracies and increased risk for patients.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system comprising a first and second sheath with a balloon member and radio-opaque markers for real-time fluoroscopic guidance, allowing for precise positioning and deployment of implants within the body, along with a pressure transducer for in situ calibration, reducing the need for contrast dye and minimizing equipment usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static angiogram images are used for positioning, then equipment usage is reduced, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static mechanical imaging (angiogram) with dynamic optical imaging (fluoroscopy with radio-opaque markers). Radio-opaque markers are attached to the implant and delivery system, allowing real-time visualization under fluoroscopic guidance. This substitution enables continuous positioning feedback without requiring complex contrast dye injection procedures, thereby improving positioning accuracy while maintaining relatively simple equipment requirements.
2Reliability
If extensive disposable equipment is used, then patient safety is improved, but procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates radio-opaque markers onto the implant and delivery system during manufacturing, before the procedure. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming setup of complex imaging equipment and contrast dye administration during the procedure. The markers are pre-positioned to provide immediate real-time visualization under fluoroscopy, maintaining patient safety through accurate positioning while significantly reducing procedure time.
3Measurement precision
If real-time fluoroscopic guidance is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential imaging function from complex contrast-based angiography systems and isolates it to simple radio-opaque markers visible under standard fluoroscopy. By removing the need for contrast dye injection, complex catheter configurations, and extensive imaging equipment, the solution achieves real-time positioning guidance using only the inherent fluoroscopic capability already present in most interventional suites, thereby improving accuracy without substantially increasing equipment complexity.
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
Enhances the accuracy and efficiency of implant placement, reduces procedure time, minimizes equipment usage, and improves patient safety by enabling real-time imaging and precise positioning of implants within the cardiovascular system.
Implementation Method 1
A balloon member may be positioned along the delivery system, wherein said balloon member is configured to be inflated to guide said deliver system to a target site
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of said markers comprise an asymmetric pattern on said implant body, said pattern configured to facilitate determination of implant orientation when viewed on a fluoroscope
Implementation Method 3
Said fluid port may be further configured to operatively couple to a device located outside of said body wherein said device is a pressure transducer, configured to measure a fluid pressure at the distal end of said first or said second sheath
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are various embodiments of improvements made to methods, systems and assemblies of implant delivery systems and the associated implants. In one embodiment, provided is an implant delivery system comprising an implant, a first sheath and a second sheath each extending from a proximal end of said implant delivery system, the first sheath is translatable relative to said second sheath wherein said implant is connected to an exterior surface of said first sheath, and wherein said first sheath and said second sheath are movable with respect to one another to deploy said implant to a target site in an anatomy. Said delivery system may be configured to be partially inserted into a blood vessel of a human body such that said proximal end remains external to said body and said distal end is internal to said body.