Deployable Graft Introducer Sheath for Vessel Opening Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices, such as introducer sheaths, often leave a hole in the blood vessel wall after use, necessitating additional closure methods like vascular plugs or suturing, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An introducer sheath system with a deployable graft and positioning elements that span the vessel opening, allowing the graft to be translated and secured within the vessel to seal the hole, potentially eliminating the need for additional closure devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional introducer sheaths are used to access blood vessels, then vascular access is achieved, but a hole is left in the blood vessel wall requiring additional closure methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the introducer sheath function with a closure graft into a single integrated device. The graft is disposed relative to the distal region of the introducer sheath and can be deployed to seal the vascular puncture site, eliminating the need for separate closure devices and procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The introducer sheath system is designed to perform multiple functions: providing vascular access and sealing the puncture site. The deployable graft component enables the system to both access and close the vessel, reducing procedural steps and device complexity.
2Reliability
If additional closure methods like vascular plugs or suturing are used, then the vessel hole is sealed, but procedural time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure graft is pre-positioned relative to the introducer sheath before vascular access is established. This preliminary positioning allows the graft to be deployed immediately after access, eliminating the need for separate closure procedures and reducing procedural time.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure graft is nested within or relative to the introducer sheath structure, allowing it to be delivered through the same access point and deployed in sequence, streamlining the overall procedure and reducing time requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An access system for accessing a patient's vasculature includes an introducer sheath that is adapted to extend into an interior of a blood vessel through an opening formed in a wall of the blood vessel in order to provide access to the interior of the blood vessel. A deployable graft is disposed relative to the distal region of the introducer sheath. One or more positioning elements are releasably secured to the deployable graft and extend proximally therefrom such that exerting a force on the one or more positioning elements causes the deployable graft to move proximally within the interior of the blood vessel to a position in which the deployable graft spans the opening formed in the wall of the blood vessel. An outer jacket releasably secures the deployable graft in position relative to the introducer sheath.