Galvanic Corrosion Detachment for Implantable Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detachment mechanisms for implantable devices in body lumens, such as aneurysm treatment, rely on external energy sources which can weaken the vessel, cause thrombi formation, and result in inconsistent or lengthy detachment processes, leading to inaccurate placement and potential procedure failure.

Innovation Solution

A galvanic corrosion-based system using a junction with anodic and cathodic metals that corrodes in the presence of electrolytic fluids like blood, allowing for rapid and controlled detachment of the implant from the delivery member without external energy, utilizing materials like magnesium for the anodic portion and platinum alloys for the cathodic portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external energy sources (laser, radiofrequency, electrical current) are used to sever the sacrificial joint, then the implant can be detached from the delivery member, but the vessel may be further weakened or damaged, thrombi may form, and the detachment process may be inconsistent or lengthy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment reliabilityVSAvoidvessel damage and thrombi formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical detachment system with a chemical corrosion system. The sacrificial joint is made of a biodegradable material (e.g., magnesium alloy) that undergoes chemical corrosion when exposed to body fluids, automatically detaching the implant without requiring external energy sources. This eliminates the harmful effects of external energy on the vessel while maintaining reliable detachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sacrificial joint is designed to detach automatically through chemical corrosion by body fluids without requiring external intervention. The biodegradable material self-corrodes when exposed to the electrolytic environment of body fluids, providing self-service detachment that is both reliable and free from external energy-related hazards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If external energy sources are used to detach the implant, then the sacrificial joint can be severed, but the procedure may take a long time and require multiple detachment efforts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment speedVSAvoidprocedure time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the time-consuming external energy-based detachment process with a rapid chemical corrosion process. The biodegradable sacrificial joint corrodes quickly upon exposure to body fluids, achieving detachment in a matter of seconds or minutes rather than requiring lengthy external energy application and multiple attempts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If external energy sources are used to sever the joint, then detachment can be achieved, but inaccurate placement may occur due to incomplete or false detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment completenessVSAvoidimplant placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The automatic chemical corrosion process ensures complete and clean detachment of the implant from the delivery member. The biodegradable material uniformly corrodes when exposed to body fluids, preventing incomplete or false detachment that could lead to inaccurate implant placement, thereby improving both detachment reliability and placement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables efficient and precise detachment of implants within body lumens without external energy, reducing vessel damage and improving procedure reliability by utilizing the body's natural electrolytes for corrosion, ensuring timely and accurate placement of the implant.

Implementation Method 1

The galvanic nature of the metals causes the anodic metal to degrade upon exposure to an electrolytic fluid (electrolyte). The degradation of the anodic material detaches the implant at the target implantation site

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic corrosion: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS11006963B2Detachment mechanisms for implantable devices

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 PIEZOLABS MEDICAL INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to detachment mechanisms for delivering and releasing implantable devices into a body lumen. According to certain aspects, systems of the invention include a junction that couples an implantable device to a delivery member. The junction includes an anodic portion and a cathodic portion galvanically coupled to the anodic portion such that the anodic portion corrodes when exposed to an electrolytic fluid, thereby detaching the implantable device from the delivery member without application of energy from an external power source.