Expandable Implant Frame for Targeted Embolic Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endovascular apparatuses lack precise and controlled delivery of materials to target regions within the body, often resulting in inadequate concentration and potential side effects due to systemic distribution, especially in smaller vessels and tissues.
Innovation Solution
The development of radially expandable implant frames that can be positioned to achieve total occlusion of blood flow, allowing for targeted delivery of embolic materials, contrast agents, or drugs, with features like one-way valves to prevent backflow and ensure high material concentration at the target site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If embolic agents are delivered through blood vessels to target regions, then treatment can be provided to tumors and diseased tissue, but material distribution becomes systemic resulting in inadequate concentration at target and potential side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the delivery process into distinct phases: first deploying an implant frame to occlude the vessel, then delivering material through controlled openings in the frame. This segmentation ensures material is delivered only to the targeted distal region rather than distributing systemically through the entire vasculature.
Solution Approach 2:
The implant frame acts as an intermediary structure that temporarily modifies blood flow patterns. It provides a scaffold with controlled openings that mediates between the delivery catheter and the target tissue, enabling precise material deposition while preventing systemic distribution.
2Measurement precision
If traditional embolization methods are used to deliver material to target regions, then treatment can be provided, but precise control over material delivery and specific targeting of structures is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The implant frame creates local quality differences in the vasculature by providing occlusion at the implant site while maintaining controlled openings for selective material delivery to specific distal structures. This allows different regions to have different flow characteristics - total occlusion proximally and controlled flow distally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by deploying the implant frame and achieving vessel occlusion before delivering the embolic material or therapeutic agent. This preliminary occlusion ensures that subsequent material delivery is confined to the targeted region and prevents systemic distribution.
3Quantity of substance
If blood flow is not occluded during material delivery, then continuous blood flow is maintained, but material concentration at target area is insufficient and treatment efficacy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The implant frame provides dynamic control of blood flow by maintaining occlusion at the implant site while allowing controlled flow through specific openings. This dynamic flow regulation enables high material concentration at the target by redirecting flow through the frame openings rather than allowing free flow through the entire vessel.
Data Source
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AI summary
An implant can include a support component, a cover component, and a valve component. The valve component can be operable to permit flow through the implant. The implant can be delivered on a catheter, with one of the ends of the implant being selectively expanded to permit temporary occlusion of a vessel while delivering a material through the valve component to a downstream target region. The other end of the implant can thereafter be released such that the implant occludes the vessel, or the implant can be removed from the vessel entirely.