Expandable Occlusion Device for Pylorus Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current occlusion devices for anatomical passages, particularly the pylorus, face challenges during manufacture, delivery, deployment, and use, including complexity, cost, size, efficiency, efficacy, resistance to migration, and ease of removal.
Innovation Solution
An occlusion device with a compact delivery configuration that expands into a deployed configuration, featuring a first and second expandable portion and an intermediate region, utilizing elongated frame elements and occlusive material to occlude flow through the pylorus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an occlusion device is designed to be compact for delivery, then delivery efficiency is improved, but the device cannot effectively occlude the pylorus when deployed
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion device is divided into multiple expandable portions (first expandable portion, second expandable portion, and intermediate region) that can be delivered in a compact state and then expanded at the target site. This segmentation allows the device to maintain a small delivery profile while achieving sufficient size for effective occlusion when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static compact delivery configuration to a dynamic expanded deployed configuration. The expandable portions can change size and shape based on deployment status, allowing the device to optimize its dimensions for both delivery and occlusion functions at different stages.
2Reliability
If an occlusion device uses a complex structure to ensure effective occlusion, then occlusion efficacy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusion device utilizes expandable portions that can be constructed from flexible materials or thin-walled structures. These flexible shells allow the device to achieve effective occlusion when expanded while maintaining relative structural simplicity and ease of manufacture in the collapsed delivery state.
Solution Approach 2:
The device structure allows components to be nested within each other in the collapsed state (similar to nested dolls), reducing overall complexity. The expandable portions can be folded or compressed into a compact form that fits within a delivery catheter, simplifying the structural requirements for both delivery and deployment.
3Reliability
If an occlusion device is made large to ensure effective occlusion, then occlusion efficacy is improved, but delivery through the body passage becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs dynamic size transformation, remaining compact during delivery and expanding only at the target pylorus location. This dynamic capability allows the device to be small enough for easy delivery through body passages while becoming large enough for effective occlusion when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the occlusion device into multiple expandable portions, the overall structure can be collapsed into a compact delivery configuration that easily navigates body passages, then expanded segment by segment at the target site to achieve effective occlusion size.
4Ease of manufacture
If an occlusion device uses a simple structure for easy manufacture, then manufacturing ease is improved, but delivery and deployment efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The device can be manufactured using simple processes for creating flexible shells or thin-walled structures that naturally collapse into compact forms. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling efficient delivery through the body's natural passages.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamic expandability features that can be integrated into relatively simple manufacturing processes. The ability to transition from compact to expanded states is achieved through straightforward mechanical designs that do not require complex assembly steps.
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 device effectively occludes flow through the pylorus, reduces migration risks, and allows for minimally invasive delivery and removal, addressing the limitations of existing devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of frame elements extending in a direction between the first end of the occlusion device and the second end of the occlusion device when the occlusion device is in the delivery configuration and bending to a curved configuration to define at least a portion of the first expandable portion and the second expandable portion
Data Source
AI summary
A device for occluding flow of materials is formed as a simple structure permitting a compact delivery configuration which may shift to an expanded deployment configuration. The device has at least one expandable portion formed of a plurality of elongated longitudinally extending frame elements. The frame elements may be spaced apart to define spaces therebetween, and a flexible occlusive material may be provided to block flow of material through such spaces. A flexible occlusive material may form one of two expandable portions of the device without the need for frame elements.