Inverting Braid Implant for Wide Neck Aneurysm Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aneurysm treatment methods, such as embolic coils, face challenges in effectively treating wide neck aneurysms due to issues like recanalization, poor coiling, and blood flow obstruction, and require additional devices like stents for support, while tubular braided implants are a newer technology in need of improved geometries and delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A tubular braided implant with a braid that can invert into nested sacks, featuring a stronger distal end for anchoring and a weaker proximal end for flexibility, allowing it to form a dome shape within the aneurysm, and optionally including an embolic coil to enhance clotting and packing density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If embolic coils are used to fill the aneurysm sac, then the aneurysm can be treated by clotting blood, but the coils cannot easily be retracted or repositioned once implanted
Solution Approach 1:
The braid is designed with variable braid angles along its length, creating regions of different flexibility. The proximal end has a lower braid angle for flexibility and repositionability, while the distal end has a higher braid angle for stability and anchoring. This dynamic structural variation allows the implant to be repositioned if needed while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Reliability
If embolic coils are used to treat the aneurysm neck, then blood flow into the aneurysm can be inhibited, but the coils can impede blood flow in the adjoining blood vessel if overpacked
Solution Approach 1:
The braid features locally differentiated properties through variable braid angles. The proximal section has a lower braid angle creating a more flexible, less dense structure that allows blood flow through the parent vessel, while the distal section has a higher braid angle creating a denser structure for effective aneurysm occlusion. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between occlusion effectiveness and blood flow preservation.
3Reliability
If the aneurysm entrance is insufficiently packed with embolic coils, then blood flow can persist into the aneurysm, but if overpacked, blood flow in the adjoining blood vessel can be impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The braid employs parameter changes along its length, specifically varying the braid angle to control packing density. The proximal end has a lower braid angle for less dense packing that preserves vessel flow, while the distal end has a higher braid angle for denser packing that ensures aneurysm sealing. This gradual parameter change optimizes both sealing effectiveness and flow preservation.
4Reliability
If multiple embolic coils are used to treat large aneurysms, then the aneurysm can be filled, but recanalization or compacting can occur due to poor coiling, lack of coverage, or blood flow
Solution Approach 1:
The braid is delivered in a nested, compressed configuration within the catheter and deploys in a controlled manner. The variable braid angle design creates a nested structure that expands progressively, providing stable coverage and preventing recanalization. The interwoven structure at different angles creates a more stable, three-dimensional framework compared to simple coiling.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If tubular braided implants are used instead of embolic coils, then flow into perforator vessels can be preserved, but the geometry and delivery system need improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The braid is segmented into regions with different braid angles along its length. This segmentation allows different sections to perform different functions: the proximal segment with lower angle for flexibility and vessel flow preservation, and the distal segment with higher angle for anchoring and occlusion. This segmented design simplifies the delivery system requirements compared to multi-component systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular braided implant is provided including a braid that can be delivered as a single layer braid, invert into itself during deployment to form at least two nested sacks and include additional braid material that can fill the innermost sack. The additional braid material can loop or coil like a ribbon and/or invert to form smaller and smaller nested sacks. The braid can have a variable braid angle along its length such that when positioned for delivery, the can have a high braid angle near its distal end and a low braid angle near the proximal end. In addition, or as a replacement for the braid material that fills the innermost sack, the implant can include an embolic coil that can loop within the innermost sack.