Flexible Occluding Stent for Aneurysm Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current implantable devices for treating aneurysms often fail to effectively manage blood flow, risking rupture and complications due to their rigidity and inability to conform to the tortuous neurovasculature, leading to inadequate occlusion and potential thrombosis.
Innovation Solution
A highly flexible occluding device with an asymmetrical braid pattern and adjustable lattice density is designed to navigate and conform to the neurovasculature, redirecting blood flow away from aneurysms while maintaining flow to adjacent tissues, using a braided tubular structure with varying lattice density to minimize stress on vessel walls and prevent rupture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid implantable device is used to treat aneurysms, then structural strength and stability are improved, but the device cannot conform to tortuous neurovasculature and navigate curved vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple modular segments that can articulate relative to each other, allowing the structure to bend and conform to tortuous vessel paths while maintaining overall structural integrity and radial strength when deployed
Solution Approach 2:
The stent incorporates flexible materials and thin-walled structures that enable the device to navigate curved neurovasculature while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength to provide aneurysm occlusion and vessel support
2Reliability
If a rigid occluding device is deployed, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but the device cannot redirect blood flow adequately to adjacent structures
Solution Approach 1:
The stent features asymmetric lattice density distribution with higher density regions for occlusion and lower density regions for flow preservation, creating different functional zones within the same structure to simultaneously achieve aneurysm occlusion and maintain perfusion to adjacent tissues
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable lattice density allows dynamic control of blood flow characteristics, enabling intermittent flow patterns that promote thrombosis within the aneurysm while maintaining adequate flow to surrounding structures
3Quantity of substance
If continuous blood flow to aneurysm is maintained, then adequate perfusion is ensured, but laminar flow causes injury to thinned aneurysm walls
Solution Approach 1:
The stent creates intermittent or pulsatile flow patterns within the aneurysm rather than continuous laminar flow, allowing periods of reduced flow that decrease wall stress and promote thrombosis while maintaining overall blood supply to the aneurysm sac
4Reliability
If high lattice density is used, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but stress on vessel walls increases and rupture risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetric lattice density design places high-density regions only where occlusion is needed while using lower density regions in areas where vessel wall stress would be problematic, optimizing both occlusion effectiveness and biocompatibility
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.