Elastic Crown Segmentation for Implant Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatment devices implanted in blood circulation conduits face challenges in maintaining effective sealing, particularly in the aortic arch area, due to limited deformability of existing elastic crowns, which can lead to imperfect sealing and alignment issues with secondary implants.

Innovation Solution

A treatment device featuring an elastic crown with at least three strands that are braided and extend in the same plane, allowing for a reversible diameter increase of up to 30%, providing enhanced sealing and adaptability to ensure robust and long-lasting sealing during implantation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the elastic crown is made with a rigid helical spring held in a folded edge, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the deformability is limited to around 4%

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddeformability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic crown is segmented into multiple strands (at least three) that can independently deform and adapt. This segmentation allows the crown to achieve higher deformability (up to 30% reversible diameter increase) while maintaining structural integrity through the coordinated action of multiple flexible strands rather than a single rigid spring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The crown transitions from a static, rigid helical spring structure to a dynamic, flexible strand-based structure. The strands can dynamically adjust their configuration to accommodate anatomical variations and implant movements, enabling the crown to deform reversibly by up to 30% while maintaining its sealing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of manufacture

If the elastic crown has limited deformability, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the sealing effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the key parameter of deformability from around 4% to up to 30% reversible diameter increase. This is achieved by changing the material structure from a rigid helical spring to flexible braided strands, which allows the crown to adapt to implant movements and anatomical variations while maintaining sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The crown uses composite construction with multiple strands braided together, combining the flexibility needed for high deformability with the structural integrity required for reliable sealing. The braided strand structure provides both the necessary compliance and the strength to maintain an effective seal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Manufacturing precision

If the secondary implant is rigidly fixed in the window, then the alignment precision is improved, but the adaptability to anatomical variations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidadaptability to anatomical variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary implant is held by a dynamic elastic crown that can deform and adapt to anatomical variations and implant movements. The crown's flexibility allows it to maintain alignment precision while accommodating physiological movements and anatomical differences, unlike a rigid fixation system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic crown acts as a flexible structure that conforms to the implant and surrounding anatomy. This flexible shell approach allows the secondary implant to be securely held while permitting the necessary adaptability to anatomical variations and physiological movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 elastic crown ensures a satisfactory and robust seal between the first and second implants, adapting to movements and anatomical variations, thereby maintaining effective sealing and preventing migration of the secondary implant.

Implementation Method 1

The crown is deformable between a rest position and an insertion position, in which the inner opening has a diameter greater than its diameter in the rest position, the crown being elastically biased towards the rest position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3367968B1Elastic ring and associated treatment device for implanting in a conduit for circulation of a body fluid
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 ID NEST MEDICAL
  • EP3367968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3367968B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3367968B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an elastic ring (18), defining an inner opening, an outer contour (42) and an annular bearing surface between the inner opening and the outer contour (42), the ring (18) being deformable between a rest position and an introduction position in which the inner opening has a diameter greater than its diameter in the rest position, the ring (18) being elastically biased towards the rest position. The ring (18) comprises at least three strands (60) passing through the ring (18), each strand (60) comprising a first end (62) and a second end positioned on the outer contour (42), the inner contour of the opening being defined by a portion of each strand (60) and having a pseudo-polygonal shape.