Inflatable Graft Channels and Filling Structure for Branch-Vessel Coverage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing minimally invasive treatments for abdominal aortic aneurysms, such as endovascular grafting, face challenges in addressing branch vessels critical for perfusion to vital organs and regions due to the extension of diseased blood vessels, which can complicate the deployment and stability of endoluminal prostheses.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a main graft body with inflatable channels and a filling structure, along with graft extensions, is deployed within the aorta, where the inflatable channels and filling structure provide structural support and conform to the vessel walls, ensuring stability and sealing against the aneurysm sac, while graft extensions extend into iliac arteries, enhancing the prosthesis's anchoring and coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If endovascular grafting is used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms, then the treatment becomes minimally invasive, but the ability to address branch vessels critical for perfusion is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthesis is divided into multiple segments including a main body portion and one or more branch portions that can be selectively extended into branch vessels. This segmentation allows the device to address both the main aortic aneurysm and critical branch vessels through a minimally invasive endovascular approach, resolving the contradiction between minimal invasiveness and branch vessel coverage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The branch portions are designed to be nested within or extend from the main body portion of the prosthesis. The graft extensions can be deployed into branch vessels while remaining integrated with the main graft body, enabling the device to simultaneously treat the aorta and its branches without requiring separate procedures
2Adaptability or versatility
If graft extensions are extended into branch vessels, then coverage of critical vessels is improved, but deployment complexity and stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The main body portion and branch portions are designed as an integrated prosthesis system where the branch portions are structurally connected to the main body. This merging of components allows for coordinated deployment through a single endovascular access point, reducing overall deployment complexity while maintaining comprehensive branch vessel coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis is pre-configured with branch portions that are positioned and oriented before deployment. The graft extensions are pre-formed to match the anatomy of target branch vessels, allowing for simplified deployment where the branch portions can be directed into the correct vessels without complex real-time manipulation during the procedure
3Stability of the object's composition
If inflatable channels are used to provide structural support, then prosthesis stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable channels serve multiple functions: they provide structural support to maintain prosthesis shape, enable controlled expansion of the graft body, and facilitate sealing against the aortic wall. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving enhanced stability
Solution Approach 2:
The prosthesis utilizes changes in the physical state of the filling material (from deflated to inflated) to achieve structural support. By controlling the inflation parameter of the channels, the prosthesis can transition from a compact deliverable state to a fully supported deployed state, providing stability without requiring complex mechanical structures
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 system effectively stabilizes the graft within the aorta, seals against the aneurysm sac, and ensures secure extension into branch vessels, providing a robust and minimally invasive treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms with enhanced structural integrity and perfusion support.
Implementation Method 1
The filling structure is inflatable around at least a portion of the main graft body and at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inflatable channels
Implementation Method 2
one or more inflatable channels, and a filling structure. The one or more inflatable channels are attached to the main graft body. The filling structure is inflatable around at least a portion of the main graft body and at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inflatable channels
Implementation Method 3
a graft extension that is at least partially insertable into a lumen formed by the main graft body
Data Source
AI summary
A system for placement in at least one blood vessel includes a main graft body, one or more inflatable channels, and a filling structure. The one or more inflatable channels are attached to the main graft body. The filling structure is inflatable around at least a portion of the main graft body and at least a portion of at least one of the one or more inflatable channels. Various systems further include a graft extension that is insertable into a lumen formed by the main graft body, where the filling structure is inflatable around at least a portion of the graft extension. A method includes inserting a main graft body into a blood vessel, filling an inflatable channel attached to the main graft body, and filling a filling structure to inflate around at least a portion of the main graft body and at least a portion of the inflatable channel.