Heated Puncture Graft Material for Tissue-Integrating Stent-Grafts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stent-grafts are hydrophobic, creating a hostile environment that prevents tissue integration, leading to susceptibility to endoleaks and migration due to the inability of cells to recruit and proliferate on the graft material.
Innovation Solution
A needle lattice is used to create controlled openings in the graft material, enhancing permeability by forming fused regions around the openings, which allows for tissue integration and the use of bioactive materials to promote cell recruitment and proliferation, thereby preventing endoleaks and migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional graft material is used, then the stent-graft structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the material is hydrophobic and prevents tissue integration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by creating a controlled porous structure within the graft material through needle-created openings. These openings allow tissue infiltration and integration while the surrounding material maintains structural integrity. The porous regions are strategically placed to enable cell recruitment and proliferation without compromising the overall strength and simplicity of the graft material structure.
2Reliability
If the graft material is made more permeable for tissue integration, then cell recruitment and proliferation improve, but the structural integrity and strength of the graft material deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized porous regions within specific zones of the graft material rather than making the entire material porous. The needle-created openings are concentrated in specific areas to facilitate tissue integration where needed, while other regions maintain dense, strong structure for mechanical support. This localized approach allows simultaneous optimization of both tissue integration and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the graft material into distinct functional zones: porous regions with needle-created openings for tissue integration, and non-porous regions for structural strength. This segmentation allows different parts of the graft to perform different functions - the porous segments enable cell infiltration and tissue growth, while the dense segments provide mechanical support and maintain graft integrity.
3Reliability
If openings are created in the graft material to enhance permeability, then tissue integration improves, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing complex chemical or biological methods for creating porous structures with a simple mechanical needle-punching process. The needle lattice mechanically creates openings through the graft material in a straightforward, controllable manner that is easier to manufacture than alternative approaches. This mechanical method allows precise control over opening location, size, and distribution without requiring complex chemical treatments or multi-step processes.
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 enhanced permeability of the graft material facilitates tissue integration, reduces the risk of endoleaks, and improves the stability of the stent-graft within the vessel, ensuring effective exclusion of aneurysms and minimizing migration risks.
Implementation Method 1
The needle lattice can be heated to fuse the surrounding material of the openings of the textile to prevent movement of the textile and to prevent collapse of the openings
Implementation Method 2
each needle-created opening being surrounded by a fused region of the graft material
Data Source
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AI summary
A needle lattice is used to form openings within a graft material to selectively enhance permeability of a prosthesis for tissue integration therein. The needle lattice may be disposed on, for example, a surface of a roller or press. The needle lattice precisely places openings in any pattern and location, and on any textile that forms the graft material. The needle lattice can be heated to fuse the surrounding material of the openings of the textile to prevent movement of the textiles and to prevent collapse of the openings. All parameters of the openings, including varying density, patterns, and size of each opening, can be controlled, allowing for the opportunity to selectively enhance and optimize the permeability of the graft material in a vessel. The needle lattice can quickly form multiple openings within a graft material, allowing for quick manufacturing of the prosthesis.