Image-Guided Flow Diverter Deployment for Vessel Wall Apposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The deployment of flow-diverter devices in minimally invasive procedures is challenging due to the complexity of accurately positioning and apposing the mesh against the vessel wall, with potential complications and high costs associated with repositioning or replacing poorly placed devices.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that processes image data to guide the precise positioning and deployment of endovascular devices, including stents and flow-diverters, by analyzing vessel anatomy and issuing commands for sheathing, unsheathing, and repositioning to ensure optimal alignment and apposition, which can be automated with robotic assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual deployment of flow diverter is performed, then physician control and adaptability are maintained, but deployment accuracy and consistency deteriorate due to operator skill variation and manual dexterity limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

An automated delivery system acts as an intermediary between the physician's intent and the actual device deployment. The system includes a delivery catheter with controlled release mechanism that translates physician commands into precise, repeatable deployment actions, eliminating manual dexterity limitations while maintaining physician control through the user interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an automated mechanical system that uses motorized actuators, sensors, and control algorithms to achieve deployment. The system substitutes human hand movements with programmed mechanical sequences that ensure consistent positioning and release of the flow diverter device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If flow diverter placement is attempted without automated guidance, then procedural simplicity is maintained, but placement quality and apposition accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplacement qualityVSAvoidprocedural simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The automated delivery system incorporates sensors that provide real-time feedback on device position, orientation, and deployment status. This feedback loop allows the system to make automatic adjustments to ensure optimal placement quality and mesh apposition against the vessel wall, while the physician monitors through a user interface without needing to perform complex manual maneuvers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If recapture capability is available before deployment, then correction of poor positioning is possible, but device complexity and procedural time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning actions with automated guidance before the point of no return, using sensors and control algorithms to ensure accurate placement. The automated system can pause at intermediate stages to verify positioning quality, reducing the need for recapture and repositioning operations that would extend procedural time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4696223A1A controller for deployment of mesh devices
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4696223A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4696223A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4696223A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device and method for assisting in placement of an endovascular device for treatment of an aneurism comprising a data processor configured to receive image data representing an anatomical region of interest including a vasculature, and at least a distal portion of a placement device together with the endovascular device located in the vasculature. The data processor or controller is configured to interpret the image data and to determine instructions for positioning and deployment of the endovascular device while the endovascular device is in engagement with an inner shaft of the placement device.