Expandable Medical Implant With Varying Width Connecting Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implants, such as stents, face challenges in precise positioning and re-deployment due to difficulties in controlled expansion and collapse, which can lead to distortion and stress concentration, making accurate repositioning and multiple re-expansion challenging.
Innovation Solution
An expandable and collapsible implant design featuring bars connected by varying width connecting sections and posts, allowing for controlled expansion and re-collapse without distortion, using materials like nitinol and biocompatible stainless steel, and facilitated by a catheter for precise deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the implant is expanded and collapsed using conventional uniform connecting sections, then the implant can be deployed, but distortion and stress concentration occur during re-expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of connecting sections at different locations along the supporting means. Connecting sections closer to the post have smaller widths (d1) while those farther away have progressively larger widths (d2, d3). This non-uniform distribution creates different flexibility characteristics at different locations, allowing the structure to expand and collapse uniformly without distortion, enabling reliable re-expansion multiple times.
2Strength
If the implant structure is made rigid to maintain shape, then structural integrity is improved, but controlled collapse and repositioning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a structure with varying flexibility along its length through non-uniform connecting section widths. The closer connecting sections (smaller d1) provide more flexibility near the post, while farther sections (larger d3) provide greater structural integrity. This dynamic gradient allows the implant to collapse controllably when needed while maintaining sufficient rigidity for structural support and repositioning.
3Stress or pressure
If the connecting sections are made wider to reduce stress concentration, then stress distribution improves, but the implant complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the width parameter of connecting sections along the length of the supporting means. Instead of using uniform widths, the width parameter changes progressively (d1 < d2 < d3) based on distance from the post. This controlled parameter variation distributes stress more effectively during expansion and collapse while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured from a single piece of tubular material.
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 multiple re-expansions without distortion, ensuring precise positioning and minimizing stress concentration, allowing for accurate placement and repeated use at the implantation site.
Implementation Method 1
using materials like nitinol
Implementation Method 2
using materials like nitinol
Implementation Method 3
bars connected by varying width connecting sections and posts, allowing for controlled expansion and re-collapse without distortion
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an implant (1) comprising at least one supporting means (2) which is suited for supporting the implant (1) at or on an implantation position, wherein both the supporting means (2) and the implant (1) are expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter and/or are collapsible from the second diameter to the first diameter, wherein the supporting means (2) comprises: bars (11) which are connected to each other by means of connecting sections (71, 7", 7'", 9); at least one post (3) for connecting the supporting means (2) with at least one other structure of the implant (1) characterized in that at least two of the connecting sections (71, 7", 7'", 9) differ in at least one material characteristic e.g. in thickness. Furthermore, a set comprising an implant and a catheter; and a supporting means are specified.