Intrasaccular Mesh Reinforcement for Irregular Aneurysm Conformability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treatments for aneurysms with irregular shapes, such as bi-lobed aneurysms, are difficult to effectively treat due to their complex geometry.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement device with mesh elements mechanically coupled by flexible connectors that allow independent orientation changes, enabling the mesh elements to conform to the aneurysm's shape and securely anchor within it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing rigid treatments are used for irregular aneurysms, then treatment simplicity is maintained, but treatment effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to conform to complex geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement device is divided into multiple mesh elements (first mesh element, second mesh element, third mesh element) that can be independently oriented and positioned. Each mesh element can be rotated about a longitudinal direction to achieve different orientations, allowing the device to segment and adapt to irregular aneurysm geometries while maintaining overall structural integrity through connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh elements are designed with rotational freedom about their longitudinal directions, enabling dynamic adjustment of orientations. This dynamic capability allows the reinforcement device to conform to various aneurysm shapes (including bi-lobed and irregular geometries) by independently orienting each mesh element to match the local anatomy, thereby improving treatment effectiveness without requiring a completely rigid structure.
2Stability of the object's composition
If mesh elements are mechanically coupled with rigid connectors, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to irregular shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the reinforcement function across multiple mesh elements connected by connectors. Each mesh element maintains structural integrity for stability, while the connectors provide the necessary flexibility to adapt to irregular shapes. This segmentation allows independent orientation adjustment of each mesh element without compromising the overall structural stability of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The connectors are designed with flexible properties, allowing them to accommodate different orientations of adjacent mesh elements. This flexibility enables the device to adapt to irregular aneurysm geometries while the mesh elements themselves maintain their structural stability through their woven or braided construction, achieving both stability and adaptability simultaneously.
3Shape
If multiple mesh elements with different orientations are used, then conformability to irregular shapes is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement device is segmented into multiple mesh elements (first, second, and third mesh elements) that can be independently oriented. Each mesh element can rotate about its longitudinal direction to achieve the optimal orientation for conforming to the local aneurysm geometry. This segmentation approach enables complex shape conformability while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through the use of straightforward connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh elements are designed with asymmetric rotational capabilities, allowing each element to be oriented independently to match the asymmetric nature of irregular aneurysm shapes. This asymmetric design enables each mesh element to conform to different portions of the aneurysm geometry, improving overall shape adaptability without requiring complex symmetric mechanisms.
4Adaptability or versatility
If connectors allow independent orientation changes, then adaptability to irregular geometries is improved, but mechanical strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connectors are designed with flexible properties that allow them to accommodate independent orientation changes of adjacent mesh elements. This flexibility enables adaptation to irregular aneurysm geometries while maintaining sufficient mechanical strength through appropriate material selection and structural design. The connectors act as flexible joints that can rotate and bend without compromising the overall structural integrity of the reinforcement device.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical properties of the connectors are optimized by adjusting parameters such as material composition, cross-sectional geometry, and length. These parameter changes allow the connectors to achieve the right balance between flexibility (for adaptability) and strength (for mechanical integrity). The connectors can be designed with varying stiffness along their length to provide rotational freedom while maintaining sufficient strength to hold the mesh elements in position.
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforcement device is described. This reinforcement device may include mesh elements (such as two mesh elements) arranged in a sequence and spatially offset from each other along a sequence direction, where a given mesh element includes a sack having a mesh wall, an opening defined by a border, and an orientation along a normal direction perpendicular to the opening. Moreover, the reinforcement device may include one or more connectors, where a given connector has a length and is mechanically coupled to adjacent mesh elements in the sequence. Note that the one or more connectors may be configured to or may allow the orientation of the given mesh element to change, independent of orientations of a remainder of the mesh elements, by rotating about a longitudinal direction in a plane of the opening and perpendicular to the orientation.