Expandable Embolic Particles for Vascular Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolic particles face challenges in delivering effective occlusion for vascular defects while navigating through tortuous anatomy, as they often require larger diameters for occlusion but smaller diameters for delivery through microcatheters.
Innovation Solution
Development of treated polymer particles that can expand from a smaller first diameter, suitable for delivery through microcatheters, to a larger second diameter upon exposure to physiological conditions, allowing for effective occlusion of vascular defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If larger embolic particles are used, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but delivery through microcatheters becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The embolic particle is segmented into a core and a shell structure, where the core provides the occlusion function and the shell provides the expandable structure for navigation and deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The embolic particle transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded deployed state, allowing it to navigate through small microcatheters and then expand to provide effective occlusion of the vascular defect
2Ease of operation
If smaller microcatheters are used, then navigation through tortuous anatomy is improved, but particle delivery capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The embolic particle dynamically changes size by compressing during delivery through the small microcatheter and expanding after deployment at the target site, enabling navigation through tortuous anatomy while maintaining effective occlusion capability
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 expandable embolic particles can be delivered through smaller microcatheters, navigating complex anatomy, and then expand to larger sizes, providing effective occlusion of vascular defects without clogging the delivery device.
Implementation Method 1
The treated polymer particles can have a smaller first diameter when delivered and then swell or otherwise enlarge to a larger second diameter once a certain condition has been met.
Data Source
AI summary
Embolic particles are described. The particles are reaction products of a prepolymer solution including at least one polyether macromer and an appropriate monomer.