Duet Stent Deployment System for TIPS Procedure Adaptability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current TIPS procedures face challenges in accurately determining stent length and diameter due to patient anatomy variations, requiring multiple stent introducers, increasing costs, procedure time, and complication risks, with existing solutions necessitating separate delivery devices for each stent.

Innovation Solution

A duet stent deployment system featuring two self-expanding stents mounted on a distal segment of an inner catheter, with an outer sheath that moves through predefined configurations to deploy the stents sequentially, allowing for a single device to accommodate varying patient anatomy and reducing the need for multiple introducers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple stent introducers are used to accommodate varying patient anatomy, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and procedure time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to patient anatomyVSAvoidnumber of introducers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate stent introducers into a single dual-stent delivery system. The system features an outer catheter that can deliver both a first stent and a second stent through a single access point, eliminating the need for separate introducers and reducing procedural complexity while maintaining adaptability to varying patient anatomy requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single dual-stent delivery system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can deliver different types and sizes of stents (covered and uncovered) through one universal platform. The system includes adjustable components that allow customization for various patient anatomies, making one device serve multiple purposes that previously required multiple specialized introducers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple stent introducers are used for sequential stent implantation, then stent placement flexibility is improved, but procedure time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestent placement flexibilityVSAvoidprocedure time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-assembling both stents on the delivery system before patient insertion. The stents are positioned and secured on the dual-stent delivery system in advance, allowing for rapid deployment during the procedure without the time-consuming steps of exchanging introducers or preparing separate delivery systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If separate delivery devices are used for each stent, then stent deployment control is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestent deployment controlVSAvoidnumber of delivery devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delivery system is segmented into distinct functional zones: an outer catheter for delivering the first stent, an inner catheter for delivering the second stent, and separator bands that divide the stents. This segmentation allows independent control of each stent's deployment while using a single integrated delivery device, maintaining deployment precision without requiring multiple separate introducers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If a single dual-stent delivery system is used, then procedure efficiency is improved, but device design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidsystem design
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a nested structure where an inner catheter containing the second stent is positioned within an outer catheter containing the first stent. Separator bands are nested between the stents to maintain separation. This nested arrangement allows both stents to be delivered through a single access point while maintaining individual controllability, achieving procedure efficiency without excessive design complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 provides flexibility in stent length, reduces procedure time, minimizes patient risks, and lowers costs by enabling a single access point for both stents, allowing for precise stent placement and reduced inventory needs for hospitals.

Implementation Method 1

both the primary stent and the secondary stent are self expanding stents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3058902B1Duet stent deployment system
Publication Date: 2020.07.29 COOK MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3058902B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3058902B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3058902B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

A duet stent deployment system is used in a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure. The device has a versatility of adjusting to a patient's anatomy in vivo. The system includes exactly two self expanding stents mounted on an inner catheter and covered by an outer sheath that is moved among a pre-deployment configuration, a first deployment configuration and a second deployment configuration to position the stents in an overlapping configuration from the portal vein, through a shunt and into the hepatic vein, and terminating at the junction with the vena cava.