Inflatable Implant for Precise Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current occluding devices for vascular and anatomical issues, such as embolization, face challenges with precision placement, biocompatibility, and removal difficulties due to biodegradable materials and organic solvents causing tissue damage, and inexact placement of precipitating polymers.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable, expandable implant with a non-elastic or elastic bladder wall that can be filled with various materials to occlude or support body regions, allowing for precise placement and potential removal, using materials that do not introduce harmful solvents and can be designed for controlled expansion and deflation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If biodegradable materials are used for occlusion, then removal is facilitated, but tissue damage occurs due to toxic degradation products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using non-biodegradable materials that are inert and non-toxic, converting the potential harm of material degradation into a benefit by selecting materials that do not degrade but also do not harm surrounding tissues. The materials remain stable indefinitely without releasing toxic substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs this principle by selecting occlusion materials that are biologically inert, creating an environment where the implant does not interact chemically with surrounding tissues. This inertness prevents both degradation and toxic reactions, allowing safe long-term presence in the body.
2Ease of operation
If liquid embolic materials are used, then ease of delivery is improved, but inexact placement occurs due to premature polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by pre-mixing the liquid embolic components in a stable state that prevents premature polymerization during delivery. The materials are prepared in advance with controlled stability, allowing them to remain fluid during injection but polymerize only after reaching the target site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms through controlled polymerization triggers that respond to specific conditions at the target site. The materials remain in liquid form during delivery and only polymerize when exposed to the intended environment, providing real-time control over the occlusion process.
3Reliability
If microcoils are used for occlusion, then occlusion effectiveness is improved, but removal difficulty increases and skill requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by changing the physical state and chemical properties of the occlusion material from rigid metal coils to flexible liquid polymers. This parameter change allows the material to be delivered in a fluid state, then transform into a solid occlusion, fundamentally altering both delivery and removal characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining liquid polymer precursors that can be delivered together and then polymerize to form a cohesive occlusion mass. This composite approach allows for unified delivery and controlled transformation, simplifying both placement and potential removal compared to mechanical coil structures.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the implant is made expandable, then adaptability to different body regions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by designing the implant with dynamic expandability, allowing it to transition from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state. This dynamic capability enables the same device to adapt to various body regions and sizes without requiring multiple specialized implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible membranes and thin-walled structures that can be compressed for delivery through catheters and then expanded at the target site. These flexible components provide the necessary adaptability while maintaining structural integrity, achieving versatility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an inflatable implant suitable for placement in the human body and left there for an indeterminate and potentially lengthy period of time. The implant is one that has a low profile when introduced into the body and a larger profile when it is inflated with one or more filler materials. Depending upon design and use choices the delivered implant may be removable and adjustable in situ in size, position, location, form, and rigidity. Indeed, in some variations, the design of the implant may be such that it may be removed at a potentially fairly lengthy time after implantation. The implant includes at least one bladder wall that generally is at least partially non-elastic (or unexpandable) after the preselected size is reached. The bladder wall will define at least one fillable volume and may form more than one independent fillable volumes. The bladder wall, in some variations, may be partially elastic or expandable to permit adjustment of implant size or configuration after or during delivery. The implant may be used as a supporting structure in a variety of differing body tissues and structures, e.g., in the spine or as a prosthetic in plastic surgery. The implant may also be used in conjunction with other components (often having a springed bias) as a source of movement in controlling the opening of a lumen or duct, that is to say, as a type of on-off valve or as a controlled flow valve. The implant may be used as an occludant within, or adjacent to, a variety of natural or abnormal anatomical body openings, e.g., vascular and genital lumina, aneurysms, ducts, septal defects, fistulae, esophagus, etc. The wall and filler material may be selected to deliver treatment materials the locale of the implant site or to remove amounts of harmful materials from such a region. The implant may, with an appropriate filler material or bladder wall material, be used in cooperation with an appropriate radio frequency (RF) source to cause the increase of a localized internal temperature and a resulting tissue change such as coagulation, ablation, or the like. Methods of using the implant are also described.