Expandable Polymer Embolism Filter for Vascular Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current medical procedures, such as cardiopulmonary bypass and vascular surgeries, often result in embolic events due to the formation of emboli, leading to significant neurological disturbances, increased patient care costs, and prolonged hospital stays, as existing technologies fail to effectively prevent or manage these blockages in blood vessels.

Innovation Solution

Development of an embolism protection device comprising a biocompatible expandable polymer that expands within a patient's vessel to filter out emboli, which can be delivered via a catheter and includes a biologically active agent to dissolve entrapped emboli, ensuring effective emboli trapping and prevention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical procedures are performed without embolism protection devices, then the procedures can be completed with standard techniques, but embolic events occur leading to neurological disturbances and prolonged hospital stays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of embolic eventsVSAvoidcomplexity of surgical procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The embolism protection device is nested within a delivery catheter system, allowing the filter to be delivered through standard catheterization routes without requiring open surgical implantation. The device collapses within the catheter for delivery and expands to its functional form at the target location, integrating a complex protective function within a relatively simple delivery system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The embolism protection device is divided into multiple functional segments: a filter portion for trapping emboli, a delivery catheter for positioning, and a retrieval mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall implantation and retrieval process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If embolism protection devices are used to filter emboli, then neurological disturbances are reduced, but the device must remain in the vessel causing potential obstruction of blood flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneurological disturbances from emboliVSAvoidblood flow through vessel

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The embolism protection device utilizes a porous filter structure that allows blood and small particles to pass through while trapping larger embolic material. The porous design maintains blood flow continuity while providing effective filtration, resolving the contradiction between emboli capture and blood flow preservation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The filter portion of the device is positioned locally at the site most susceptible to embolic events (such as the aortic arch or carotid arteries), providing targeted protection without obstructing blood flow throughout the entire vascular system. The local placement minimizes impact on overall hemodynamics while maximizing protective effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of stationary object

If permanent embolism protection devices are implanted, then long-term protection is provided, but the devices require surgical implantation and removal procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveduration of embolism protectionVSAvoidease of device implantation and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The embolism protection device is designed for percutaneous delivery through standard catheterization techniques, eliminating the need for open surgical implantation. The device can be delivered, positioned, and retrieved through minimally invasive endovascular approaches, making the procedure accessible in standard catheterization laboratories rather than operating rooms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 embolism protection device effectively reduces or eliminates adverse effects of emboli by filtering and dissolving them, thereby reducing neurological disturbances and associated costs, and facilitating safer medical procedures with shorter hospital stays.

Implementation Method 1

an expandable polymer, which can expand upon release within a patient's vessel into a structure configured to filter flow through the vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExpandable polymer expansion:

Implementation Method 2

a porous structure having a configuration to filter flow through a patient's vessel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS8123775B2Embolism protection devices

Publication Date: 2012.02.28 MEDTRONIC INC

AI summary

Embolism protection devices can be formed with a biocompatible expandable polymer that can expand upon release within a patient's vessel. Upon release, the structure can be configured to filter flow through the vessel. The material of the embolism protection devices can release one or more biologically active agents, such as a thrombolitic agent, including, for example, tPA. Alternatively or additionally, the embolism protection device can be connected to a tether that elutes one or more biologically active agents.