Hydrogel-Coated Endovascular Stent for Aneurysm Occlusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current stent technologies face issues with thrombosis, in-stent stenosis, and endo-leaks due to their thrombogenic nature and poor apposition with vessel walls, leading to complications such as ischemia, stroke, and aneurysm recurrence, and existing drug-eluting stents have limitations in medication delivery and efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A coated endovascular device with a thin hydrogel layer on its surface to reduce thrombosis and tissue reaction, combined with a hydrogel intrasaccular occlusion element that expands to prevent endo-leaks and facilitate targeted drug delivery through turbulent flow mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent is deployed to treat aneurysm or vascular disease, then the device provides structural support and blood flow restoration, but the stent surface is thrombogenic causing thrombus formation and in-stent stenosis
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrogel coating is applied as an intermediary layer between the stent surface and blood/tissue. This coating serves as a biocompatible barrier that prevents direct contact between the thrombogenic stent material and the vascular environment, thereby reducing thrombus formation and tissue reactions while maintaining stent functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The stent surface properties are modified by changing the material parameter from bare metal/polymer to hydrogel-coated surface. This parameter change transforms the surface from thrombogenic to thromboresistant, altering the interaction with blood and tissue without compromising the underlying stent structure.
2Reliability
If stent apposition to vessel wall is poor, then device deployment is simplified, but endo-leaks occur causing aneurysm recurrence
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel coating acts as a compliant intermediary that conforms to the vessel wall contours, filling gaps and irregularities between the stent and vessel wall. This ensures intimate apposition and prevents endo-leaks while accommodating vascular anatomy variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel forms a flexible, conforming layer that adapts to the vessel wall shape, creating a seal between the stent and vessel wall. This thin film structure maintains contact pressure and prevents blood leakage without rigid constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional drug-eluting stents are used, then medication delivery is achieved, but delivery is limited to local area with short duration and requires multiple procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogel coating enables continuous, sustained medication release by serving as a reservoir that slowly diffuses pharmacological agents into the blood stream. This continuous action extends the duration of therapeutic effect compared to conventional stents requiring multiple procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrogel coating serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thromboresistance, reduces tissue reactions, enables sustained medication delivery, and maintains vascular patency. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate interventions.
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 hydrogel coating significantly reduces thrombosis and tissue reaction, minimizes the need for antiplatelet therapy, enhances medication delivery downstream, and effectively addresses aneurysm recurrence and vasospasm, while allowing for smaller delivery systems and reduced vascular access risks.
Implementation Method 1
places a thin coating of hydrogel on the entire surface of any endovascular device exposed to the inner surface of the blood vessel and/or blood products
Implementation Method 2
combined with a hydrogel intrasaccular occlusion element that expands to prevent endo-leaks and facilitate targeted drug delivery through turbulent flow mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
An endovascular treatment mesh device for closing outpouchings by affixing at least one amorphous hydrogel layer expandable in vivo to any or all surfaces of an expandable body comprising at least one material adapted to close said outpouching in the body. The treatment mesh further includes a telescoping center-support bar disposed therein, the center-support bar having at least two telescoping elements that act as reinforcing extension elements to minimize the risk of collapse. Hydrogel is affixed to the surface of the telescoping elements to inhibit retraction. An embodiment wherein the treatment mesh device is a stent.