Laparoscopic Vascular Conduit with Self-Expanding Stents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current endovascular access methods, such as the Seldinger method, face challenges when femoral and iliac arteries are convoluted, too small, or occluded, often requiring open surgery, and there is a need for a system to provide controlled and guided vascular access for laparoscopic procedures.
Innovation Solution
A laparoscopic vascular conduit arrangement comprising an elongate graft tube with self-expanding stents at the proximal end and a corrugated distal portion, deployed through a laparoscopic port sheath, allowing for temporary vascular access and bypasses in the abdominal or thoracic cavities, using a kit of parts including a curved needle, guide wire, and deployment devices to facilitate access and sealing within the vessel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If endovascular access is attempted through convoluted, small, or occluded femoral and iliac arteries using conventional methods, then vascular access can be achieved in straightforward cases, but the procedure becomes impossible or requires open surgery when arteries are convoluted, too small, or occluded
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular access system is divided into multiple segments: a puncture needle for initial access, a guide wire for navigation, and a graft tube with stents for establishing the bypass. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, enabling access through challenging vessels that would be impossible with a single conventional catheter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a guide wire as an intermediary tool that facilitates navigation through convoluted and occluded arteries. The guide wire acts as a mediator between the operator and the difficult-to-access vessel, enabling precise positioning of subsequent components without requiring direct manipulation of the catheter through the problematic artery.
2Reliability
If open surgery is performed to achieve vascular access in challenging cases, then reliable access can be obtained, but the invasiveness and complexity of the procedure increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a nested structure where the guide wire is inserted through the puncture needle, the graft tube is deployed over the guide wire, and stents are embedded within the graft tube. This nesting allows the complex multi-component system to be delivered through a single small puncture site, achieving open-surgery-level reliability without the invasiveness of actual open surgery.
Solution Approach 2:
The puncture needle and guide wire are used to establish a preliminary access path through the vessel wall and into the artery before the main graft tube is deployed. This preliminary action creates a ready-made通道 that simplifies the subsequent deployment of the larger graft tube, making the overall procedure less complex than open surgery.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If a permanent vascular access solution is implemented, then long-term access is provided, but the risk of thrombosis and the need for anticoagulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular access system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The self-expanding stents provide continuous radial force to keep the graft tube open, while the entire system can be temporarily inflated or adjusted to prevent thrombus formation. This dynamic design allows the access to be maintained for extended periods without permanent implantation, reducing long-term thrombosis risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-expanding stents automatically expand to maintain patency of the graft tube without requiring external intervention or continuous anticoagulation. The stents provide their own structural support and thrombosis prevention mechanism through their expansion force, reducing the need for pharmacological intervention.
4Productivity
If conventional Seldinger method is used for vascular access, then the procedure is simple and quick, but controlled and guided access into the abdominal cavity for laparoscopic procedures cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The vascular access system is designed with multi-functionality to serve both conventional endovascular purposes and laparoscopic controlled access requirements. The graft tube with stents can function as a standard vascular conduit while also providing a sealed pathway for laparoscopic instruments, combining the speed of percutaneous access with the versatility of controlled surgical access.
Solution Approach 2:
The graft tube acts as an intermediary structure that bridges the percutaneous access point and the abdominal cavity. It provides a controlled tunnel through which laparoscopic instruments can be passed, maintaining the speed advantage of needle puncture while enabling the controlled access needed for surgical procedures.
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 controlled and guided vascular access without the need for open surgery, providing temporary access and bypasses in challenging vascular conditions, enhancing procedural efficiency and minimizing invasive techniques.
Implementation Method 1
the proximal end having at least one self expanding stent affixed thereto to keep the proximal end open
Data Source
AI summary
A laparoscopic vascular conduit arrangement has an elongate graft tube (1, 10) which is placed through a body cavity into a body vessel using a laparoscopic port sheath (70) with a distal valve (73) and a second sheath (80) with distal valve (86, 87). The graft tube (1, 10) extends through the laparoscopic port sheath so that the distal end (108) of the graft tube extends out of its valve and the proximal end of the graft tube extends out of the proximal end of the laparoscopic port sheath. The second sheath (80) is deployed into the distal end (108) of the graft tube (1, 10) such that the first valve (73) seals around the graft tube and the second sheath (84). The proximal end of the graft tube can be deployed into the vessel of the body to allow access into the vessel through the graft tube via the second valve. The conduit can be removed after use or used to provide vascular bypass.