Insertion Element With Differential Elasticity Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing medical implant insertion devices face challenges in manufacturing simplicity and flexibility, often resulting in undesirable buckling during tight curve radii and requiring complex diameter expansion mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
An insertion element with a sheath featuring at least two types of peripheral segments with different elasticity, allowing for reversible diameter expansion and improved mechanical stability, manufactured using compatible thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer materials through co-extrusion, and optionally incorporating stabilizing elements for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the insertion element is made with a longitudinal slit to increase diameter, then the diameter expansion is achieved, but buckling occurs during tight curve radii insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a sheath with peripheral segments that can flexibly expand and contract, allowing diameter change without the structural weakness of longitudinal slits. The sheath maintains its integrity while expanding, preventing buckling during insertion through tight curves.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath is constructed with multiple peripheral segments of different elasticities, creating a composite structure that combines flexibility for expansion with structural integrity for buckling resistance. This composite design allows the sheath to expand reversibly without compromising stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the insertion element uses multiple layers with different Shore hardness, then mechanical stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing peripheral segments with different elasticities at specific locations around the sheath circumference. This allows mechanical stability where needed while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a co-extrusion process that integrates different material properties in a single manufacturing step.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple material properties into a single co-extruded sheath structure, combining peripheral segments of different elasticities in one manufacturing process. This integration simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling multiple separate layers while maintaining the mechanical stability benefits of differentiated material properties.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sheath is made completely elastic for diameter expansion, then flexibility is improved, but mechanical stability and resistance to buckling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath features peripheral segments with different elasticities distributed around its circumference. Some segments provide elasticity for diameter expansion while others provide stiffness for buckling resistance, allowing the sheath to simultaneously achieve flexibility and strength through spatially differentiated material properties.
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 solution provides a mechanically stable and flexible insertion element that can expand reversibly, reducing the risk of buckling and facilitating easy implant passage, while also allowing for repositioning and removal of implants with minimal vessel injury.
Implementation Method 1
The insertion element has a sheath which has at least two types of peripheral segments with different elasticity in the peripheral direction
Implementation Method 2
manufactured using compatible thermoplastic and thermoplastic elastomer materials through co-extrusion
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The element (10) has a tubular sleeve (12) including two circumferential segments (16, 18) of different resilience placed along a circumferential direction, where one of the circumferential segments is much stiffer in the circumferential direction than the other of the circumferential segments. The sleeve is in tubular shape, and the circumferential segments extend along a longitudinal extension of the insertion element. The circumferential segments are made of thermoplastic material, metal, polyamide, polyester, polyamide elastomer and polyester elastomer.