Flow Control Stent With Dynamic Occlusion for Periodic Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical devices fail to provide controlled, periodic, or intermittent fluid communication and access between body lumens, leading to unidirectional flow that may not align with the therapeutic needs of certain medical conditions.
Innovation Solution
A medical device with an elongate tubular body that expands into proximal and distal retention members, featuring a cylindrical saddle region with a constricted portion that adjusts to allow controlled flow or access based on applied force, or a plug with slits or a cone that changes diameter in response to force, ensuring regulated fluid passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an open access path is provided by the device, then fluid flow from the body lumen is improved, but controlled periodic or intermittent drainage is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The stent incorporates a dynamic occlusion mechanism that can transition between open and closed states. The occludable portion of the stent body can be actively controlled to open or close the lumen, enabling periodic or intermittent drainage patterns rather than continuous open flow. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt fluid flow characteristics to match therapeutic requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables periodic action through its occlusion capability, allowing fluid drainage to occur in controlled cycles rather than continuously. The system can be configured to drain fluid for specific time periods and then occlude, creating periodic drainage patterns that match the therapeutic needs of certain medical conditions while maintaining the ability to provide open flow when required.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stent body is made occludable, then controlled flow is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion mechanism utilizes flexible membranes or thin film structures that can be integrated into the stent body. These flexible components can be actuated to create occlusion without requiring complex mechanical assemblies, thereby achieving controlled flow capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity. The flexible nature of these components allows for integration within the existing stent architecture.
3Reliability
If retention members are expanded, then anchoring in tissue walls is improved, but the constricted portion diameter control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into distinct functional segments: retention members for anchoring and a constricted portion for diameter control. The retention members are designed to expand and anchor independently in the tissue walls, while the constricted portion maintains its diameter control capability. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without interfering with the other, managing the complexity of simultaneous anchoring and diameter control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of medical devices and establishing fluid communication between body lumens. In particular, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for establishing a controlled flow or access passage between body lumens. For example, a device may include an elongate tubular body defining a lumen along a length thereof. The elongate tubular body may have an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, a proximal portion of the elongate tubular body may expand into a proximal retention member and a distal portion of the elongate tubular body may expand into a distal retention member, leaving a cylindrical saddle region extending therebetween. The cylindrical saddle region may include a constricted portion configured to move between a first diameter configuration and a second diameter configuration larger than the first diameter configuration.