Integrated Stent Delivery Catheter for Adjacent-Lumen Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endoscopic procedures face challenges in precisely placing tissue anchors or stents between adjacent body lumens while minimizing the risk of body fluid leakage, particularly when multiple tools are required and tools need to be exchanged over a guidewire, which prolongs the procedure and increases leakage risk.

Innovation Solution

A catheter system with a handle and sliding elements allows for controlled deployment of a stent or anchor through luminal walls, maintaining apposition using a tension wire and eliminating the need for guidewire exchange, with self-expanding flanges to secure the luminal walls and minimize leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple catheters or tools are used for stent placement, then the stent can be securely deployed between adjacent lumens, but the procedure time increases and the risk of body fluid leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent deployment securityVSAvoidprocedure duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (penetration, guidewire deployment, stent delivery, and wall apposition maintenance) into a single integrated catheter system. The catheter includes a needle for penetration, a guidewire deployment mechanism, a stent delivery system, and a tensioning mechanism all within one device, eliminating the need for sequential tool exchanges and reducing procedure time while maintaining deployment security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The catheter is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform penetration through luminal walls, deploy guidewires, deliver stents, and maintain wall apposition through tensioning. This universal device replaces multiple specialized tools, reducing procedure complexity and time while ensuring reliable stent placement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple catheters or tools are exchanged over a guidewire, then stent placement can be achieved, but the risk of body fluid leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent placement capabilityVSAvoidbody fluid leakage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The catheter maintains continuous tension on the luminal walls throughout the entire procedure from initial penetration through final stent deployment. This preliminary and continuous wall apposition prevents fluid leakage during all intermediate steps, eliminating the need to exchange tools which would temporarily compromise the seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By integrating the tensioning mechanism with the stent delivery system in a single catheter, the patent maintains continuous wall apposition during the entire procedure. The tensioning elements remain engaged throughout, preventing fluid leakage without requiring tool exchanges that would disrupt the seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If tool exchanges are performed over a guidewire, then stent deployment is possible, but the procedure becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestent deployment flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of tools required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges penetration needles, guidewire deployment mechanisms, stent delivery systems, and tensioning devices into a single integrated catheter. This unified device maintains deployment flexibility while eliminating the complexity of coordinating multiple separate tools and their sequential exchanges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If a single catheter system is used for penetration and stent deployment, then procedure time is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocedure efficiencyVSAvoidcatheter system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated catheter is divided into functional segments (penetration needle, guidewire mechanism, stent delivery system, tensioning elements) that can be independently controlled through separate actuators. This segmentation allows complex functions to be managed through modular, independent control mechanisms, improving procedural efficiency while making the complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 reduces procedure duration and minimizes body fluid leakage by maintaining continuous apposition of luminal walls during stent or anchor deployment, ensuring precise placement and sealing against the walls.

Implementation Method 1

self-expanding flanges to secure the luminal walls and minimize leakage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSelf-expanding: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12458356B2Apparatus and method for deploying stent across adjacent tissue layers

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED INC

AI summary

Transluminal access system includes a stent delivery catheter having a handle control mechanism. The catheter comprises a number of components for establishing an initial penetration between adjacent body lumens and subsequently implanting a stent or other luminal anchor therebetween. Manipulation of the stent components is achieved using control mechanisms on the handle while the handle is attached to an endoscope which provides access to a first body lumen.