Embolisation Device Metallic Mesh Flow Restrictor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Embolisation devices face challenges in maintaining vessel occlusion performance when repeatedly transitioning between contracted delivery and expanded deployed configurations, with existing devices prone to reduced effectiveness due to tearing or unwanted folding of polymer membranes during deployment and recapture.
Innovation Solution
The embolisation device incorporates a self-expanding mesh flow restrictor with a metallic occluding mesh membrane attached to a stem, featuring a tubular section for enhanced anchoring and a crimping connector for secure attachment, allowing for reliable expansion and contraction without compromising occlusion rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a polymer membrane is used for flow restriction, then the device can be manufactured with simpler materials, but the membrane is prone to tearing and unwanted folding during deployment and recapture transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a polymer membrane with a metallic mesh structure to create a composite flow restrictor. The metallic mesh provides structural support and prevents tearing while the polymer membrane maintains flow restriction functionality. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by incorporating both manufacturing simplicity (polymer) and reliability (metallic support) into a single device.
2Reliability
If an occluding membrane with high occlusion rate is selected, then vessel occlusion performance is improved, but the ability of the membrane to expand from contracted to deployed configuration is compromised due to tearing or unwanted folding
Solution Approach 1:
The high occlusion rate polymer membrane is combined with a metallic mesh structure that provides structural stability during expansion and contraction. The metallic mesh acts as a reinforcement skeleton that prevents tearing and unwanted folding while allowing the membrane to maintain its high occlusion rate performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible polymer membrane that can be folded during delivery and then expanded at the target site. The membrane's flexibility allows it to transition between contracted and deployed configurations while the metallic mesh provides the structural stability needed to prevent tearing during these transitions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device is designed to be recaptured and redeployed multiple times, then delivery flexibility is improved, but the vessel occlusion performance deteriorates after repeated transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The metallic mesh reinforcement provides durable structural support that withstands repeated expansion and contraction cycles without degradation. This allows the device to be recaptured and redeployed multiple times while maintaining consistent occlusion performance, resolving the contradiction between delivery flexibility and occlusion reliability.
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 configuration ensures consistent and high occlusion rates, reducing the risk of tearing and improving anchoring forces, even after multiple deployments and recaptures, by utilizing a metallic mesh that provides mechanical strength and support.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane support having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration and comprising a self-expanding mesh extending at least radially outwardly from the stem
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a metallic mesh that provides mechanical strength and support
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of flexible bristles extending outwardly from the stem, the bristles having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration in which the bristles extend at least radially outwardly from the stem to anchor the device in the lumen
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
An embolisation device (100) for promoting clot formation in a bodily lumen (170), comprising a stem (110) and a plurality of flexible bristles (120) extending outwardly from the stem, the bristles having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration in which the bristles extend at least radially outwardly from the stem to anchor the device in the lumen. The embolisation device comprises a flow restrictor configured to restrict flow through the bodily lumen. The flow restrictor comprises: a membrane support (135) having a contracted delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration and comprising a self-expanding mesh extending at least radially outwardly from the stem; and an occluding membrane (130) mounted on the membrane support (135). The occlusion rate of the occluding mesh membrane is greater than that of the membrane support. The flow restrictor is attached to the stem at a first longitudinal end, the flow restrictor further comprising an open second longitudinal end. The occluding membrane is configured to restrict flow through the lumen when the device is deployed and the membrane support is in the expanded deployed configuration.