Mechanical Interlocking Coupling for Embolic Coil Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for deploying embolic coils in vascular procedures face challenges such as inaccurate positioning, difficulty in repositioning, and prolonged deployment times, often requiring external power sources or risking further hemorrhage due to high hydraulic forces or mechanical damage to the aneurysm wall.

Innovation Solution

A delivery assembly featuring a pushwire with a mechanically interlocking mechanism, comprising a hook and loop configuration, that allows for precise and controlled deployment of the occlusive coil, utilizing a recoil action facilitated by a tapered, elastic pushwire and PTFE coating to prevent over-deployment and minimize tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If electrolytic detachment or electrical resistance heating coil detachment procedure is used, then accuracy of positioning the occlusive coil is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for power supply accessories

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of positioningVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the power supply accessories and electrical components from the delivery system, extracting the harmful complexity while retaining the beneficial positioning accuracy through a purely mechanical interlocking mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electrical detachment mechanism with a mechanical interlocking and release mechanism, where the occlusive coil is mechanically coupled to the delivery wire and released through mechanical action rather than electrical current

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If electrolytic detachment or electrical resistance heating coil detachment procedure is used, then accuracy of positioning the occlusive coil is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional time required for detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of positioningVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical interlocking mechanism is pre-configured during device assembly, allowing for immediate mechanical release without waiting for electrical reactions to complete, thus reducing detachment time while maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If hydraulic deployment is used, then productivity is improved through rapid detachment of the coil, but object-affected harmful factors increase due to high hydraulic force introduced into the aneurysm

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverapid detachmentVSAvoidrisk of hemorrhage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the hydraulic deployment system with a direct mechanical push and release mechanism, where the delivery wire mechanically pushes the coil to the target site and releases it through mechanical disengagement, eliminating the need for high hydraulic forces that could cause aneurysm rupture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If mechanical locking system is used, then device complexity is reduced by avoiding external power sources, but ease of operation worsens due to difficulty in rotating the delivery wire at proximal end

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mechanical release mechanism into distinct components (delivery wire, occlusive coil with loop structure) that can be independently manipulated, allowing the operator to release the coil by pulling or manipulating the delivery wire without complex rotation requirements

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

Enables rapid, accurate, and controlled deployment of embolic coils without external power, reducing the risk of hemorrhage and improving precision, while preventing over-deployment and minimizing tissue damage through the use of radiopaque markers and a lubricous surface for smooth navigation.

Implementation Method 1

PTFE coating to prevent over-deployment and minimize tissue damage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

recoil action facilitated by a tapered, elastic pushwire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2421482B1Delivery assembly for occlusion device using mechanical interlocking coupling mechanism

Publication Date: 2019.11.13 ACHIEVA MEDICAL

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Figure 6A~7B

AI summary

A pusher-occlusive coil delivery assembly 10 that is advanced through a microcatheter 40 to the desired vascular site within a patient. The delivery assembly 10 includes a pushwire 12 which interlocks with the occlusive coil 11 which can be manipulated to detach the occlusive coil 11. When the assembly 10 is positioned at the site, the pushwire 12 is advanced to allow the interlock joint 14, 15 to move out of the delivery sleeve 13 to uncouple the pushwire 12 and the occlusive coil 11.