Single-Handed Endovascular Prosthesis Deployment Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for delivering endovascular prostheses to treat vascular aneurysms are complex, require experienced surgeons, and often result in high mortality and morbidity rates, with challenges in accurate placement and deployment due to high friction between the stent-graft and catheter sheath.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system with a housing, a sheath, and accessible controls that allow one-handed operation, featuring a first sheath control for axial motion and a stop mechanism to confine and release the sheath, enabling precise deployment of the prosthesis within a body lumen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional open surgical procedures are used for aneurysm repair, then effective treatment is achieved, but the procedure complexity increases and requires experienced surgeons and well-equipped facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex open surgical mechanical procedures with an endovascular delivery system that uses a catheter-based approach. The stent-graft is delivered through a catheter sheath and deployed using a hub assembly with thread tooth mechanisms, substituting the need for open surgical exposure and complex surgical instrumentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catheter sheath as an intermediary device that delivers the stent-graft to the target location and controls its deployment. The hub assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the stent-graft, providing controlled release through thread tooth engagement and disengagement.
2Measurement precision
If resiliently-expanding stent-grafts are compressed within a catheter for delivery, then accurate delivery is enabled, but significant radial expansion forces create high friction against the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-compresses the resilient stent-graft within the catheter sheath before delivery, preparing it for accurate placement. The hub assembly is designed with thread tooth mechanisms that are pre-configured to engage with the sheath, allowing controlled release at the target location without requiring excessive force during deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the compressed stent-graft and the operator. The thread tooth pivot support and press members provide a mechanical advantage system that translates operator input into controlled sheath retraction, managing the high radial expansion forces during deployment.
3Ease of operation
If high friction exists between stent-graft and sheath, then controlled deployment becomes difficult, but sufficient force is needed to retract the sheath
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic hub assembly where the thread tooth can pivot between engaged and disengaged states. The thread tooth press member applies variable force to the thread tooth, allowing the operator to control sheath retraction dynamically. The system transitions from a high-friction locked state to a controlled release state through the pivoting action of the thread tooth.
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: the thread tooth pivot support, the pivoting thread tooth itself, and the press member. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function in managing the friction and force during sheath retraction, with the thread tooth acting as a mechanical advantage element.
4Measurement precision
If the delivery system is designed for accurate placement, then prosthesis positioning precision is improved, but the system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hub assembly serves as an intermediary control mechanism that simplifies the operation of accurate prosthesis placement. The thread tooth mechanisms provide mechanical advantage, allowing the operator to control the precise retraction of the sheath and deployment of the stent-graft with minimal effort, while maintaining placement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual manipulation required for accurate placement with a mechanical advantage system using thread teeth. The pivoting thread tooth mechanism converts rotational or linear operator input into precise axial motion of the sheath, enabling accurate prosthesis placement while reducing operational complexity.
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
Facilitates accurate and controlled deployment of the prosthesis with reduced manual effort, improving safety and reducing the complexity of the procedure while maintaining precision, thus lowering the risk of complications associated with conventional surgical methods.
Implementation Method 1
a thread tooth press member pressing on the thread tooth, where motion of the distal sleeve relative to the inner slider pivots the thread tooth on the thread tooth pivot support to engage and disengage the hub assembly with the threaded outer surface
Implementation Method 2
This may lead to high levels of friction between the stent-graft and the sheath, particularly if the resiliently-expanding structure becomes partially embedded in the sheath material
Implementation Method 3
Stent-grafts (endovascular prostheses) are resilient structures, usually biased to expand against a surrounding luminal wall
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an improved delivery system to deliver and deploy a prosthesis in a body lumen, and methods of use thereof. The improved delivery system allows for operation of the delivery system with one hand while maintaining accuracy in delivery and deployment of the prosthesis. An exemplary embodiment of the delivery system includes a first sheath control on a housing so as to be accessible from the exterior of the housing, wherein the first sheath control is operatively engaged with the sheath and controls movement of the sheath axially proximally with respect to the housing, thereby releasing at least a portion of the prosthesis.