Embolic Filter Distal Loop Maintains Apposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolic protection filters face issues with radial motion of the elongate support member causing excessive contact with the vessel wall, reducing the filter area available for embolic capture and compromising apposition, leading to ineffective filtration during vascular procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a distal loop and tether mechanism that reduces the influence of radial wire motion, maintaining filter apposition by allowing lateral movement of the elongate support member without compromising wall contact, and using a flexible distal loop to prevent filter collapse and maintain open area for emboli capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the elongate support member is used to provide structural support for the filter, then the filter can be deployed and maintained in position, but radial motion of the support member causes excessive contact with the vessel wall, reducing the filter area available for embolic capture
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is divided into multiple segments or struts that are spaced apart along the filter length. This segmentation allows the filter to maintain structural support while reducing continuous contact with the vessel wall, preserving more filter surface area for embolic capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member design provides localized support at specific points rather than continuous support along the entire filter length. This allows the filter to have adequate structural support where needed while maintaining greater freedom of movement and surface area contact with the vessel wall for filtration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the elongate support member is made rigid to maintain filter shape, then the filter structure is stable, but radial motion compresses the filter and causes it to lose apposition to the conduit wall
Solution Approach 1:
The support member incorporates dynamic elements that allow controlled radial motion and flexibility. The support structure can adapt its rigidity based on radial forces, allowing the filter to maintain apposition to the vessel wall while preserving its overall shape and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member material or structure changes its mechanical parameters (such as radial stiffness) in response to applied forces. This allows the filter to maintain stable shape under normal conditions while accommodating radial motion that preserves wall apposition during procedural maneuvers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the filter is made flexible to conform to vessel contours, then the filter can navigate tortuous body conduits, but radial motion of the support member reduces the area available for filtering emboli
Solution Approach 1:
The filter and support structure are segmented into multiple sections that can independently conform to vessel contours. This segmentation allows the filter to navigate tortuous anatomy while each segment maintains adequate surface area for filtration, preventing excessive contact that would reduce overall filtering capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body, comprising a filter element and a self-expanding radial element associated with the filter element. The filter element is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained. The filter element comprises a self-expanding material having pores. The filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, and has a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening. The self-expanding radial element is distal of the filter element, and the self-expanding radial element is adapted to maintain the filter element centered in the lumen.