3D Looped Embolic Braid for Secure Aneurysm Wall Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolic devices, particularly coils, tend to migrate out of aneurysm sacs, especially in wide-neck aneurysms, due to lack of secure engagement with the aneurysm walls.
Innovation Solution
An embolic device formed from an elongate flat member that assumes a three-dimensional unconstrained configuration with successive loops, where the first side surface faces externally and the second side surface faces internally, is deployed through a delivery catheter and expands to securely engage the aneurysm walls, preventing migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional embolic coils are used, then the device can be easily delivered through the catheter, but the device migrates out of the aneurysm sac due to lack of secure engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional planar coils to three-dimensional configurations with loops extending in multiple spatial dimensions. The loops are formed by twisting the elongate flat member about its longitudinal axis, creating structures that engage aneurysm walls from multiple directions simultaneously, preventing migration through enhanced multi-dimensional anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongate flat member is divided into multiple successive loops along its length, with each loop acting as an independent engagement element. This segmentation allows different portions of the device to engage different regions of the aneurysm sac, providing distributed anchoring that prevents overall device migration while maintaining flexibility.
2Reliability
If the device is made with a three-dimensional unconstrained configuration, then secure engagement with aneurysm walls is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongate flat member is configured to self-expand from a compressed delivery state to a deployed three-dimensional loop configuration upon release from the delivery catheter. The device's inherent elastic properties enable it to automatically assume its functional three-dimensional shape without requiring external actuation mechanisms, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature, elasticity) of the elongate flat member material to enable transformation from a deliverable compressed state to a functional three-dimensional expanded state. This parameter-based transformation allows complex three-dimensional engagement structures to be delivered through simple catheter-based insertion without mechanical deployment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If the elongate flat member is twisted to form successive loops, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Heat treatment is applied to the elongate flat member during manufacturing to modify its physical properties, specifically enhancing its elasticity and shape memory characteristics. This parameter change in material properties enables the device to be formed into precise three-dimensional loop configurations that maintain their shape upon deployment, ensuring consistent occlusion effectiveness while facilitating manufacturing through controlled thermal processing.
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 device effectively occludes the aneurysm, reduces the risk of rupture, and maintains secure positioning within the aneurysm sac without causing damage to the vessel walls, enhancing treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The three-dimensional unconstrained configuration is set by applying a series of manufacturing steps to an elongate flat member to include successive loops in which the elongate flat member is at least partially twisted about its longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
Embolic devices are commonly composed of self-expanding materials, so that when the devices are deployed from the delivery system into the target location in a patient; the unconstrained devices expand without requiring assistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~8B
AI summary
A flat embolic braid (10) having a first side comprising a first side surface (14), and a second side comprising a second side surface (16) facing in an opposite direction than the first side surface, the braid having an elongated constrained configuration for being deployed through a delivery catheter, and a three-dimensional unconstrained configuration, wherein in the three-dimensional unconstrained configuration, the braid assumes a plurality of successive loops (12) in which the braid is at least partially twisted between successive loops of the plurality, so that the first side surface faces externally of each loop, and the second side surface faces an interior of each loop, respectively, regardless of a change in direction and/or orientation of the braid.