Biostable Fleece Coated Vascular Support for Plaque Rupture Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular supports face challenges such as vessel wall proliferation, plaque rupture, and mechanical stress due to non-coated designs, and complex implantation processes for aneurysm treatment, leading to complications like occlusions and thrombotic events.

Innovation Solution

A vascular support device with a biostable random-fiber fleece material layer, made of fine-fibrillated polyethylene, is applied to the support body using a spraying method, providing a porous structure that allows blood components to pass while retaining cellular components, reducing the risk of vessel clogging and promoting cell adherence and integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a non-coated vascular support is used, then the structural integrity and support function are maintained, but the risk of plaque rupture and vessel wall proliferation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport functionVSAvoidplaque rupture risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a fleece material coating specifically to the outer surface of the vascular support structure, creating a localized protective layer where it is most needed. This coating provides anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties at the interface with the vessel wall, while the underlying structural framework maintains its mechanical support function. The local application of the fleece material addresses the harmful effects without compromising the overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention combines the vascular support structure with a fleece material coating to create a composite medical device. The support structure provides mechanical strength and radial force, while the fleece material layer contributes biological compatibility, anti-proliferative properties, and anti-inflammatory effects. This composite construction allows the device to simultaneously achieve structural reliability and reduced biological harm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Speed

If a vascular support with open lattice structure is used, then blood flow passage is maintained, but vessel wall cells can proliferate through the interspaces causing renewed narrowing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblood flowVSAvoidvessel patency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fleece material coating is applied specifically to the outer surface of the lattice structure, creating a selective barrier. The open lattice structure maintains blood flow through the lumen, while the fleece coating on the outer surface prevents vessel wall cells from proliferating through the interspaces. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of blood flow maintenance and proliferation prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If a complex applicator system is used for aneurysm treatment, then precise placement and expansion control are achieved, but the risk of fold generation and implantation complications increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement precisionVSAvoidapplicator complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fleece material coating acts as a flexible protective shell that covers the vascular support structure. This thin film layer provides a smooth outer surface that reduces friction during implantation, allows for better conformability to the vessel geometry, and protects the underlying structure during deployment. The flexible nature of the fleece material enables the device to navigate complex vasculature while maintaining placement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Area of stationary object

If the vascular support diameter is increased to treat aneurysms, then the aneurysm coverage is improved, but the mechanical stress on the vessel wall increases heightening rupture risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaneurysm coverageVSAvoidvessel wall stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The composite construction with fleece material coating allows the vascular support to achieve larger diameter for aneurysm coverage while the fleece layer distributes and dampens the mechanical stress on the vessel wall. The fleece material's compliance and cushioning properties reduce the peak stresses transmitted to the vessel wall, enabling safer deployment in aneurysm treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 biostable fleece material reduces postoperative complications by preventing plaque rupture and occlusions, facilitating endothelium-like layer formation, and promoting wound healing, thereby stabilizing the vascular support and enhancing physiological conditions.

Implementation Method 1

providing a porous structure that allows blood components to pass while retaining cellular components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

applied to the support body using a spraying method

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray deposition: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP2575678B1Device for placement in a hollow organ, in particular for holding open said hollow organ and method for producing such device
Publication Date: 2018.05.16 OCCLUTECH HLDG AG
  • EP2575678B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The device for placement in a hoilow organ, in particular for holding open the hollow organ, comprises a placement body (12) having an inner side and an outer side (14). The device further comprises at least one layer (16) of biostabie random-fiber fleece material arranged on said placement body (12) and being at least partially in abutment thereon.