Flexible-Joint Intrasaccular Implant for Tortuous Aneurysm Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current devices for treating cerebral aneurysms, such as stents and vaso-occlusive coils, face challenges in effectively blocking blood flow into aneurysms without causing rupture, deformation, or dislocation, especially in small and tortuous blood vessels, and are inadequate for sidewall aneurysms due to stiffness and delivery issues.
Innovation Solution
Intrasaccular occlusive devices with flexible connections between the pusher and implant, featuring permeable shells with braided wires, allowing for precise positioning and enhanced stability, including a first and second occlusive section to conform to the aneurysm neck, and a flexible joint for angled delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current stents and vaso-occlusive coils are used to treat cerebral aneurysms, then blood flow blockage is achieved, but device stiffness and delivery difficulties occur in small and tortuous blood vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple sections including a delivery catheter, a deployable occlusive device with expandable cage structure, and a retrieval mechanism. The occlusive device itself is segmented into radial struts that can be independently positioned to conform to the aneurysm geometry, allowing effective occlusion while maintaining flexibility for delivery through tortuous vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The occlusive device transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state. The cage structure with radial struts is designed to be flexible during delivery but provides rigid occlusion once deployed. The device dynamics allow it to navigate tortuous vessels in a low-profile state and then expand to provide reliable blood flow blockage at the target site.
2Strength
If stents are expanded to proper size using balloon catheter, then adequate structural support is provided, but risk of inadvertent occlusion of small perforator vessels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusive device provides localized occlusion at the aneurysm site rather than along the entire vessel length. The expandable cage structure with radial struts is positioned specifically at the aneurysm neck and body, providing structural support and flow blockage only where needed. This localized approach spares adjacent perforator vessels from inadvertent occlusion while maintaining adequate structural support at the treatment site.
3Reliability
If current devices are used for sidewall aneurysms, then treatment is attempted, but device deformation and dislocation occur due to stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The occlusive device features a curved or spherical cage structure with radial struts that can conform to the three-dimensional geometry of sidewall aneurysms. The curved design allows the device to adapt to the aneurysm's shape rather than imposing a rigid linear structure, preventing deformation and dislocation while maintaining treatment effectiveness for sidewall aneurysm configurations.
4Ease of operation
If density of stent structure is reduced to fit through microcatheters, then delivery is enabled, but flow blockage capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a low-density linear structure during delivery to a three-dimensional expandable cage structure at the target site. The radial struts are compressed along the longitudinal axis for microcatheter delivery, then expand radially outward to create a volumetric occlusive barrier. This dimensional transformation allows the device to pass through narrow access vessels while providing sufficient flow blockage capability at the expanded configuration.
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 devices provide effective, long-term blood flow blockage in cerebral aneurysms, reducing the risk of rupture and deformation, and can be delivered through tortuous vessels with improved positioning and stability, suitable for both bifurcation and sidewall aneurysms.
Implementation Method 1
blocking a flow of fluid through a tubular vessel or into a small interior chamber of a saccular cavity or vascular defect
Implementation Method 2
deliverable through tortuous cerebral blood vessels... flexibility is required for effective delivery
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Devices and methods for treatment of a patient's vasculature are described. Embodiments may include a permeable implant having a radially constrained state configured for delivery within a catheter lumen, an expanded state, and a plurality of elongate filaments that are woven together. The implant may include first and second permeable shells. The first permeable shell having a proximal end with a concave or recessed section and a second permeable shell having a convex section that mates with the concave or recessed section. The implant also includes a flexible, articulating joint between the first and second permeable shells.