Fibrous Implant Compaction via Pull Strings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical treatment devices for hollow anatomical structures, such as venous reflux disease, often fail to achieve complete occlusion due to insufficient radial expansion and material density, and initial implant placement may not be accurate, requiring repositioning.
Innovation Solution
A medical treatment system comprising an elongate, flexible pushrod with a bioabsorbable fibrous implant and pull strings that allow for sequential compaction of the implant's portions in a distal-to-proximal direction, increasing density and facilitating repositioning by allowing the implant to radially expand further and reducing initial insertion sheath size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the implant is expanded radially to occlude the hollow anatomical structure, then occlusion efficacy is improved, but the insertion sheath size must be larger causing patient discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is designed with a nested structure where the fibrous body can be compressed into a compact configuration that fits within a smaller insertion sheath, then expanded radially at the target site to achieve full occlusion efficacy without requiring a large sheath throughout the entire procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The implant transitions from a compressed dynamic state during insertion to an expanded dynamic state at the treatment site, allowing it to achieve full radial expansion and occlusion efficacy only when needed at the target location rather than maintaining expanded state throughout insertion
2Reliability
If the implant material density is increased to achieve complete occlusion, then occlusion efficacy is improved, but the implant becomes harder to compress for insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is divided into multiple fibrous segments or layers that can be compressed independently or collectively, allowing high material density within each segment while maintaining overall compressibility of the entire implant structure for insertion through the sheath
Solution Approach 2:
The implant uses flexible fibrous material structure that can be compressed to high density while retaining the ability to be compressed further for insertion, with the fibrous nature allowing both high material concentration and mechanical flexibility
3Loss of time
If the implant is placed initially at the correct position, then repositioning operations are avoided, but achieving precise initial placement is difficult without repositioning capability
Solution Approach 1:
The implant is delivered with the delivery system pre-positioned at the target site, allowing the operator to place the implant at the correct position on the first attempt by preparing the delivery system in advance, reducing the need for repositioning operations
Solution Approach 2:
The delivery system acts as an intermediary that facilitates precise initial placement of the implant at the target site, providing control and positioning assistance during insertion to reduce the need for subsequent repositioning operations
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 system achieves more effective occlusion by increasing implant density and diameter, reducing patient discomfort, and enabling easier repositioning of the implant if initial placement is not correct, thus improving treatment efficacy and patient experience.
Implementation Method 1
Pulling the distal pull string in a proximal direction compacts at least a portion of the distal portion of the implant in a distal direction, and pulling the proximal pull string in a proximal direction compacts at least a portion of the proximal portion of the implant in a distal direction
Implementation Method 2
After placing the implant at the treatment site, the implant may be expanded to partially or fully occlude the HAS in the radial direction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1D
Figure 2A
AI summary
Bodily implants (36, 42) that can be compacted in a distal-to-proximal direction, and which facilitate repositioning of the implant after compaction. The implants include at least one pull string (60, 62, 64) for expanding the implant in a radial direction while compacting the implant in the longitudinal direction. Where multiple pull strings are provided, they can be secured to the implant at spaced locations along the implant length, and pulled successively to compact the implant in a distal-to-proximal direction. A guide member (90, 98) may also be provided to receive the pull strings and facilitate longitudinal compaction.