Endoluminal Prosthesis Fluid-Absorbable Composition Radial Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional endograft devices face challenges in achieving a low delivery profile while maintaining sufficient radial strength for securing the device in position, particularly when treating vascular tissue defects like aneurysms, as they often require a balance between a compact delivery configuration and expanded deployment within blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

The development of endoluminal prosthetic devices with a tubular body featuring a fluid-absorbable composition within channels that swell upon deployment, providing structural support and radial expansion, along with a self-expanding anchor stent and expandable flanges, to ensure secure anchoring and sealing within the blood vessel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the delivery profile of the endograft device is reduced to enable percutaneous delivery through small-diameter guide catheters, then the device can be delivered minimally invasively, but the radial strength of the device is compromised when deployed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelivery profileVSAvoidradial strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The endograft device is divided into multiple segments: a self-expanding stent frame providing radial strength, a separate graft material for sealing, and radial expansion elements that can be selectively deployed. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the stent frame maintains radial strength while the graft material provides sealing without compromising the compressed delivery profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs a nested structure where the graft material is positioned within or alongside the stent frame, and radial expansion elements are contained within the device during delivery. This nesting allows the device to maintain a compact delivery profile while providing full radial strength and sealing capability when deployed in the expanded configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the endograft device is designed to seal off the aneurysmal portion from blood flow, then the aneurysm is protected from further pressurization, but blood flow through the aorta must be maintained through the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing efficacyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts the sealing function from the main stent structure by incorporating a separate graft material that can be positioned within the aneurysmal segment. This graft material provides the sealing barrier while the stent frame maintains structural support and patency of the healthy aorta, allowing blood flow to pass through the device while sealing off the aneurysm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device applies different properties to different regions: the stent frame provides radial strength and structural support in all regions, while the graft material is specifically positioned in the aneurysmal region to provide sealing. This local differentiation allows effective sealing of the aneurysm while maintaining open blood flow through the device in the healthy vessel regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution allows for a reduced delivery profile during minimally invasive procedures while ensuring adequate radial strength and sealing efficacy upon deployment, effectively preventing blood leakage and maintaining blood flow through the device.

Implementation Method 1

a fluid-absorbable composition deposited within the channel. The fluid-absorbable composition can have a first volume when the prosthesis is in the compressed configuration and is configured to swell to a second volume within the channel upon deployment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The fluid-absorbable composition can have a first volume when the prosthesis is in the compressed configuration and is configured to swell to a second volume within the channel upon deployment of the prosthesis within the target blood vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwelling: Hydrogel

Data Source

PatentEP3435917B1Endoluminal prosthetic devices having fluid-absorbable compositions for repair of a vascular tissue defect
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 MEDTRONIC VASCULAR INC
  • EP3435917B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3435917B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3435917B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Endoluminal prosthetic devices having fluid-absorbable compositions for repair of vascular tissue defects, such as an aneurysm or dissection, are disclosed herein. A prosthesis for repairing an opening or cavity within a target vessel region configured in accordance herewith includes a tubular body sized to substantially cover the opening or cavity, and having channels formed in a wall thereof. The channels can include a fluid-absorbable composition deposited therein and which is configured to absorb fluid (e.g., blood) and swell within the channels, thereby providing radial expansion of the tubular body in situ.