Independent Stent Elements for Vessel Wall Stress Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stent implantation devices face challenges in flexible vascular areas, including compressive, tensile, and rotary movements that lead to stent material weakening, fractures, and complications like restenosis and embolisms, due to friction and uneven expansion of connected stent parts.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a plurality of independent, self-expanding stent elements arranged on an axial line within a shaft, allowing for individual and independent implantation without connections, reducing friction and enabling precise placement with spacers and radiopaque markers for enhanced positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If connected stent parts are used to provide continuous support, then structural strength is improved, but friction and uneven expansion occur causing material weakening and fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into multiple independent stent elements (10) that are not connected to each other. Each element can expand and move independently, eliminating friction and stress concentration at connection points while maintaining overall structural support through the array of discrete elements
2Area of stationary object
If a single continuous stent is used to cover the lesion, then coverage is improved, but friction on the vessel wall increases causing material weakening
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous stent structure is segmented into multiple independent elements (10) spaced apart from each other. This segmentation reduces the total contact area with the vessel wall while maintaining adequate coverage of the lesion, thereby reducing friction and material weakening
3Stability of the object's composition
If stent elements are firmly connected to ensure stable placement, then placement stability is improved, but friction and stress concentration increase leading to restenosis and embolisms
Solution Approach 1:
The stent comprises multiple independent elements (10) that are not firmly connected to each other. This eliminates stress concentration at connection points and reduces friction on the vessel wall, thereby minimizing the risk of restenosis and embolism while maintaining adequate placement stability through the collective support of multiple elements
Solution Approach 2:
A delivery catheter (5) with a shaft acts as an intermediary to deliver and deploy the independent stent elements (10) to the target site. The catheter provides the necessary support and positioning during delivery, allowing the elements to be deployed in a controlled manner without requiring firm connections between them
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 reduces stress on the vessel wall, prevents stent fractures, and allows for precise placement of stent elements in various body locations using a single catheter, minimizing patient burden and costs while avoiding complications like restenosis and embolisms.
Implementation Method 1
the stent elements (10) are arranged on an axial line (L) within the shaft (5)... the stent elements can be used or implanted individually and independently of each other
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3~8
AI summary
Arrangement for implanting stent elements (10) in or around a hollow organ, having a plurality of stent elements, more particularly self-expanding stent elements, wherein the stent elements are arranged on an axial line (L) and wherein lateral surfaces of the respective stent elements are defined by material-free regions and material webs.