Expandable Prosthesis Anchor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoluminal prostheses face challenges in preventing migration within body lumens, particularly under continuous strain from pulsatile blood flow, which can lead to complications like endoleaks and increased risk of aneurysm rupture.
Innovation Solution
A retractable anchor mechanism is integrated into the prosthesis, featuring an elongate member that is slidably disposed within a retaining structure, allowing it to protrude radially outward as the frame expands, forming an anchor that secures the prosthesis to the vessel wall, thereby preventing migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anchor members such as barbs or hooks are attached to the prosthesis to prevent migration, then the prosthesis stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and attachment methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the anchor member and the prosthesis into a single integrated structure. The anchor members are formed as integral extensions of the prosthesis body, eliminating the need for separate attachment components and methods. This merging approach maintains migration prevention functionality while reducing device complexity by removing the interface between separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis body is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the primary structural support for vessel repair while simultaneously functioning as the anchor mechanism through its integrated barbs and hooks. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate anchor components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If anchor members are integrated into the prosthesis to prevent migration, then the prosthesis stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to additional manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor members are formed as integral extensions of the prosthesis body during the same manufacturing process. This combining approach allows both the prosthesis structure and anchor members to be produced in a single operation, eliminating subsequent attachment steps and actually improving ease of manufacture despite the increased functional integration.
3Reliability
If traditional attachment methods such as sewing or welding are used to attach anchor members, then the anchor members can be securely attached, but the ease of operation decreases due to complex attachment procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for separate attachment operations by forming anchor members as integral parts of the prosthesis body. This removes complex sewing, welding, or bonding procedures from the deployment process, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design.
4Reliability
If the prosthesis is designed with anchor members to prevent migration, then the prosthesis stability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor members are designed as integral extensions of the prosthesis body rather than separate components. This merging eliminates the need for additional discrete parts, reducing device complexity while maintaining the stability function. The anchor members are formed directly from the prosthesis material during manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis body serves dual functions as both the structural repair element and the anchor mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate anchor components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability through the integrated design.
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 solution effectively limits prosthesis migration, facilitates easier insertion and deployment, and allows for resheathing during deployment, reducing the risk of complications and improving the stability of the prosthesis within the body lumen.
Implementation Method 1
The frame is expandable from a collapsed configuration having a first diameter to an expanded configuration having a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
AI summary
An implantable medical support frame (104) having a central longitudinally extending axis is expandable from a collapsed configuration having a first diameter to an expanded configuration having a second diameter. The frame also includes an anchoring mechanism with an elongate member (110). At least a portion of the elongate member is slidably disposed within a retaining structure when the frame is in the collapsed configuration. When the frame expands from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration, a portion of the elongate member is advanced out of the retaining structure such that the portion of the elongate member protrudes radially outward of the frame at an angle to the axis, thereby forming an anchor. A length of the protruding portion of the anchor increases as the frame expands from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration.