Electrolytic Detachment Conduit for Aneurysm Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for intracranial aneurysms, such as platinum coil and flow diverter methods, face challenges with long-term recanalization and the need for antiplatelet therapy, which can be risky, especially in cases with wide necks or large interior volumes, necessitating a more effective and immediate solution.
Innovation Solution
A treatment system featuring a conduit with an electrolytically corrodible detachment zone and an expandable occlusive member, where an embolic element is delivered to fill the aneurysm cavity, deforming the occlusive member to create a stable seal at the neck, and the conduit is electrolytically severed to remain in place, facilitating faster thrombus formation and endothelial growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a platinum coil is disposed within the aneurysm to induce thrombus formation, then the aneurysm neck closes and blood flow is reduced, but long-term recanalization occurs especially in aneurysms with wide necks or large interior volumes
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system divides the occlusion mechanism into two functional segments: the flow diverter mesh tube that immediately blocks the aneurysm neck, and the embolic material that fills the interior volume. This segmentation allows the neck closure to occur rapidly while the embolic material provides sustained occlusion, preventing recanalization without requiring extended thrombus formation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverter mesh tube is deployed first to preliminarily close the aneurysm neck and establish immediate blood flow diversion. This preliminary action creates a stable scaffold that prevents recanalization while the embolic material is subsequently delivered to fill the interior volume, ensuring durable occlusion from the outset rather than relying on slow natural healing processes.
2Reliability
If a flow diverter mesh tube is deployed to cause blood to flow along the main channel, then the aneurysm neck closes and endothelial tissue grows, but it takes weeks or months for full effect and antiplatelet therapy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system merges the flow diverter mesh tube with embolic material delivery capabilities. The mesh tube provides immediate structural support and neck closure, while the embolic material is delivered through the same device to fill the interior volume. This merging eliminates the need for separate procedures and antiplatelet therapy, achieving complete occlusion rapidly through combined mechanical and embolic actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow diverter mesh tube acts as an intermediary structure that immediately blocks the aneurysm neck and prevents blood flow into the aneurysm sac. This intermediary action occurs before the natural thrombus formation process would begin, providing immediate protection while the embolic material fills the remaining interior volume, thereby eliminating the weeks or months delay inherent in conventional flow diverter therapy.
3Reliability
If antiplatelet therapy is used to prevent thrombus formation in the main channel, then the flow diverter functions properly, but the therapy exacerbates intracranial hemorrhaging if re-rupture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment system extracts the antiplatelet therapy requirement from the treatment protocol by using a flow diverter mesh tube with embolic material delivery. The mesh tube provides immediate mechanical blockage of the aneurysm neck, and the embolic material provides sustained occlusion without requiring antiplatelet therapy to prevent thrombus formation. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of antiplatelet therapy while maintaining flow diverter functionality through purely mechanical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system uses a disposable flow diverter mesh tube with integrated embolic material delivery, eliminating the need for long-term antiplatelet therapy. The mesh tube and embolic material work together to provide immediate and sustained occlusion, then the entire device is removed, leaving no permanent foreign body that would require ongoing antiplatelet management. This approach eliminates the chronic hemorrhaging risk associated with long-term antiplatelet therapy.
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
This approach reduces recanalization rates and promotes faster aneurysm occlusion with a bioabsorbable scaffold that minimizes long-term mass effects and radiopacity interference, providing a safer and more effective treatment option compared to conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the sidewall defines an electrolytically corrodible detachment zone between the proximal portion and the distal portion... configured to cause separation of the proximal portion and the distal portion in response to a flow of an electrical current through the detachment zone
Data Source
AI summary
Treatment of aneurysms can be improved by delivering an occlusive member (e.g., an expandable braid) to an aneurysm sac in conjunction with an embolic element (e.g., coils, embolic material). A treatment system for such treatment can include an electrolytically corrodible conduit having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a detachment zone between the proximal portion and the distal portion. An occlusive member having a proximal hub is coupled to the conduit distal portion. The conduit has a lumen configured to pass an embolic element therethrough. An inner electrode assembly can be slidably disposed within the conduit lumen to facilitate electrolytic detachment of the occlusive member at the detachment zone.