Expandable Embolic Plug for Vascular Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing embolization devices face challenges in achieving high specificity and reducing kickback during vascular occlusion, particularly in narrow or tortuous vessels, due to their larger profile and tendency to displace during deployment.
Innovation Solution
A tubular body with angled longitudinal cuts and shape memory material that can be deployed through narrow-gauge microcatheters, expanding radially to secure the occlusion site, and optionally covered with a membrane to enhance clotting, allowing for precise placement and reduced risk of displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If occlusive plug devices are used to achieve high specificity in vascular occlusion, then occlusion specificity is improved, but device profile increases making them unsuitable for narrow or tortuous vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple expandable segments or leaves that can be compressed into a small profile for delivery through narrow catheters, then expand at the target site to achieve effective occlusion. The tubular body with longitudinal cuts creates multiple expandable segments that transition from a compact delivery configuration to an expanded occlusion configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusive device is designed to nest within a microcatheter during delivery, with the tubular body collapsing into a compact configuration that fits within the catheter lumen. Upon deployment, the device expands outward from the nested state to achieve its full occlusion profile at the target vascular site.
2Length of moving object
If embolic coils are used to achieve smaller profile for narrow vessels, then ease of delivery through narrow catheters is improved, but kickback increases reducing occlusion specificity
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a dynamic deployment mechanism where the tubular body transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded occlusion state. The shape memory material enables controlled expansion at the target site, allowing the device to maintain a small profile during delivery then dynamically expand to achieve stable, kickback-resistant occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes shape memory material that changes its physical state or dimensions in response to specific conditions (such as temperature or mechanical stress). This parameter change enables the device to transition between a compact delivery configuration and an expanded occlusion configuration, achieving both small profile delivery and stable occlusion.
3Stability of the object's composition
If larger occlusive plugs are used to reduce kickback, then occlusion stability is improved, but ability to deliver through narrow-gauge microcatheters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusive device is segmented into multiple expandable elements that can be compressed into a small profile for delivery, then expand at the target site to provide stable occlusion. The tubular body with longitudinal cuts creates segments that can be collapsed for delivery and expanded for stable, kickback-resistant occlusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a dynamic deployment mechanism where the tubular body transitions from a compressed state suitable for narrow catheter delivery to an expanded state that provides stable occlusion. This dynamic transformation allows the device to overcome the size limitation of narrow catheters while maintaining occlusion stability at the target site.
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
Enables single-step delivery of embolic plugs through small catheters, reducing the risk of incomplete occlusion and non-target embolization, while maintaining high specificity and stability within narrow blood vessels.
Implementation Method 1
the sidewall optionally includes a shape memory material, the tubular body assumes the elongate configuration when radially constrained within a catheter and assumes the deployed configuration when unconstrained
Data Source
AI summary
Expandable occlusive plugs and methods of using them are disclosed. The devices generally include a tubular body bearing multiple slits defining leaves, which expand radially outward when the ends of the device are brought toward one another.