Flexible Occluding Device for Aneurysm Flow Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable devices for treating aneurysms often fail to effectively manage blood flow, risking rupture due to inadequate occlusion and potential damage to surrounding tissues, and lack the flexibility to navigate complex neurovasculature.
Innovation Solution
A highly flexible occluding device with an asymmetrical braid pattern and adjustable lattice density that can be deployed to redirect blood flow away from aneurysms while maintaining flow to adjacent structures, featuring a tubular structure with perforations and a braided design that conforms to the natural shape of blood vessels, allowing for minimal force deployment and reduced stress on vessel walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid stent structure is used to provide structural support, then strength is improved, but flexibility and ability to navigate tortuous vessels deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane structure with integrated struts that provides both structural support and flexibility. The membrane acts as a thin film that can conform to tortuous vessel geometries while the integrated struts provide necessary structural reinforcement to maintain stent configuration and provide radial support.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent combines different materials with complementary properties - a flexible membrane material that can navigate tortuous vessels and structural struts that provide strength and support. This composite construction allows the device to simultaneously achieve flexibility for navigation and strength for structural support.
2Reliability
If a dense braid pattern is used to occlude the aneurysm, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but blood flow to adjacent structures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements varying lattice densities at different locations of the stent. The distal portion has a first lattice density optimized for occluding the aneurysm, while the proximal portion has a second lattice density optimized for maintaining blood flow to adjacent structures. This spatial variation in lattice density allows simultaneous achievement of effective occlusion and adequate perfusion.
3Productivity
If high force is applied to deploy the stent, then expansion speed is improved, but stress on vessel walls and risk of damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic deployment mechanism where the stent transitions from a compressed delivery configuration to an expanded deployed configuration through controlled expansion. The expansion can be progressive or staged, allowing the stent to adapt to the vessel geometry gradually rather than through sudden high-force application, thereby reducing stress on vessel walls.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are flexible implantable occluding devices that can, for example, navigate the tortuous vessels of the neurovasculature. The occluding devices can also conform to the shape of the tortuous vessels of the vasculature. In some embodiments, the occluding devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. Some embodiments describe methods and apparatus for adjusting, along a length of the device, the porosity of the occluding device. In some embodiments, the occluding devices allows adequate blood flow to be provided to adjacent structures such that those structures, whether they are branch vessels or oxygen-demanding tissues, are not deprived of the necessary blood flow.