Frangible Occlusion Device for Aneurysm Neck
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current occlusive devices for treating aneurysms often fail to effectively block the aneurysm neck without impeding flow into small, clinically important perforator vessels, leading to potential damage and incomplete healing.
Innovation Solution
A device with a frangible material that differentiates between the aneurysm neck and perforator vessel ostia based on pressure differentials, allowing flow into perforator vessels while maintaining occlusion of the aneurysm by rupturing or eroding at specific pressure thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-discriminatory neck occlusive device is used to block the aneurysm neck, then the aneurysm is effectively occluded, but flow into perforator vessels is impeded causing ischemia
Solution Approach 1:
The device applies different flow resistance properties to different regions: high resistance at the aneurysm neck to block flow into the aneurysm sac, and low resistance at the perforator vessel ostia to maintain flow into downstream tissues. This spatial variation in flow properties resolves the contradiction between effective occlusion and preservation of perforator flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static occlusion structure to a dynamic system that responds to pressure differentials. When high pressure differential is detected at perforator ostia, the device modifies its flow resistance characteristics to allow increased flow, thereby adapting to physiological conditions and preventing ischemia while maintaining aneurysm occlusion.
2Reliability
If embolic material is implanted to fill the aneurysm sac, then blood pressure and flow impingement is relieved, but the aneurysm volume is permanently maintained preventing healing and reshaping
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filling the aneurysm sac with permanent embolic material, the invention extracts the occlusion function to the device framework itself, which provides flow diversion without occupying volume within the aneurysm sac. This allows the sac to collapse and heal naturally while still achieving the protective effect of relieving blood pressure impingement.
3Reliability
If a tubular stent-like structure is used for neck occlusion, then the aneurysm neck can be blocked, but perforator vessel ostia may be unintentionally blocked causing severe damage
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates regions of differently engineered flow resistance: high resistance zones positioned to occlude the aneurysm neck and low resistance zones positioned at perforator vessel ostia. This local differentiation ensures that the aneurysm neck is blocked while perforator vessels remain patent, resolving the contradiction between effective occlusion and avoidance of unintended occlusion.
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
This solution minimizes ischemia by ensuring blood flow to downstream tissues while maintaining occlusion of the aneurysm, allowing for endothelial growth and potential reincorporation of the aneurysm into the parent vessel shape.
Implementation Method 1
A significant challenge for many current neck-occlusive techniques is to substantially block the aneurysm neck in the parent vessel and yet not impede flow into perforator-type blood vessels
Implementation Method 2
frangible material that differentiates between the aneurysm neck and perforator vessel ostia based on pressure differentials, allowing flow into perforator vessels while maintaining occlusion of the aneurysm by rupturing or eroding at specific pressure thresholds
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5~8B
AI summary
An occlusive device suitable for endovascular treatment of an aneurysm in a region of a parent vessel in a patient, including a structure having a pre-established pore features and having dimensions suitable for insertion into vasculature of the patient to reach the region of the aneurysm in the parent vessel. The device further includes a frangible material associated with the pore features which initially provides a substantial barrier to flow through the frangible material and is capable of at least one of localized rupturing and localized eroding, in the presence of a pressure differential arising at an ostium of a perforator vessel communicating with the parent vessel, within an acute time period to minimize ischemia downstream of the perforator vessel.