Expandable Foam Occlusion with Magnetic Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical devices for occluding the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation are inadequate in preventing thrombus formation and migration, leading to stroke or heart attack risks.

Innovation Solution

An occlusive implant system comprising a delivery catheter with a core wire and expandable foam that expands to occlude the left atrial appendage, featuring a connection element that secures the foam in the delivery configuration and allows release in the expanded configuration, optionally with a shielding element or magnetic coupling for deployment and detachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing medical devices are used to occlude the left atrial appendage, then the procedure can be performed, but they are inadequate in preventing thrombus formation and migration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of thrombus formation and migrationVSAvoidstroke or heart attack risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The occlusive implant is divided into distinct functional segments: an expandable framework providing structural support and occlusion, and a separate foam component that expands to fill irregular spaces within the left atrial appendage. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of thrombus prevention, with the framework providing bulk occlusion and the foam addressing residual spaces where thrombi could form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The foam is pre-loaded in a compressed state within the delivery catheter alongside the expandable framework. Before deployment, the foam is positioned and secured to the framework, ensuring proper alignment and configuration. This preliminary arrangement allows both components to work together synergistically once deployed, with the foam ready to expand and fill any gaps immediately after the framework is expanded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the foam is compressed onto the connection element in the delivery configuration, then the connection element is secured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachment of foam to connection elementVSAvoiddelivery system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The foam is nested within or alongside the expandable framework in a space-efficient manner during delivery. The compressed foam fits within the confines of the delivery catheter, utilizing the internal volume effectively. Upon expansion, the foam maintains its attachment to the framework while occupying the necessary space within the left atrial appendage, achieving secure attachment without requiring excessive structural complexity in the delivery system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If the connection element is configured to be unscrewed or pulled out when tension is applied, then the foam can be released, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease mechanismVSAvoidconnection element mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection element utilizes a magnetic coupling mechanism instead of purely mechanical fastening methods. The magnetic attraction provides secure attachment during delivery and deployment, while allowing for controlled release when tension is applied or when a release mechanism is activated. This substitution of magnetic forces for mechanical fastening simplifies the release operation while maintaining secure attachment during the critical deployment phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system effectively occludes the left atrial appendage, reducing thrombus formation and migration risks, providing a secure and controlled deployment mechanism for the expandable foam.

Implementation Method 1

a piece of foam coupled to the connection element. The piece of foam may be configured to expand from a delivery configuration to an expanded configuration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam expansion: Foam

Implementation Method 2

a magnetic force selectively couples the connection element to the second connection element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

tension applied to the connection element after the piece of foam has expanded to the expanded configuration causes the connection element to disengage from the second connection element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Data Source

PatentUS20250204924A1Occlusive implant systems

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

An occlusive implant system may include a delivery catheter, a core wire including a connection element disposed at a distal end, and a piece of expandable foam coupled to the connection element. An occlusive implant system may include a delivery catheter, a core wire may include a clamshell enclosure disposed at a distal end, and a piece of expandable foam, wherein the clamshell enclosure is configured to deliver and thereafter release the piece of expandable foam at a treatment site. An occlusive implant system may include a delivery catheter, a core wire including a connection element disposed at a distal end, a piece of expandable foam engaged with the connection element, and a polymer coating disposed on the piece of expandable foam, wherein the polymer coating is configured to degrade in vivo to release the piece of expandable foam from the connection element.