Implantable Lumen Filter with Tapered Strut Apertures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for vein thrombosis, such as anticoagulant drug therapies, are ineffective for all patients and may lead to complications like pulmonary embolism, necessitating surgical intervention with vena cava filters, which have limitations in preventing recurrent emboli and may not be suitable for all patients.
Innovation Solution
An implantable lumen filter with a tapered outer surface formed by struts and apertures, designed to inhibit particulates while allowing blood components to pass through, is deployed in the inferior vena cava to prevent pulmonary emboli, featuring a transitionable state from collapsed to deployed and a thrombo-resistant coating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anticoagulant drug therapy is used to treat vein thrombosis, then clot dissolution may be achieved, but the therapy is ineffective for some patients and may cause harmful effects such as prolonged bleeding and acute sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filtering function from the bloodstream by implanting a mechanical filter device in the inferior vena cava. This removes the need for anticoagulant drugs in high-risk patients, providing a reliable mechanical barrier that prevents pulmonary emboli without causing bleeding complications or drug sensitivity issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter device acts as an intermediary mechanical barrier between the venous circulation and pulmonary arteries. It physically intercepts clots before they can reach the lungs, providing reliable protection without the harmful side effects of pharmacological intervention.
2Reliability
If vena cava filter device is implanted to prevent pulmonary emboli in high-risk patients, then mechanical barrier function is provided, but the device may not be suitable for all patients and has limitations in preventing recurrent emboli
Solution Approach 1:
The filter device is segmented into multiple functional components: a delivery catheter for minimally invasive insertion, an expandable filter body with multiple struts and apertures for selective particle capture, and retrieval mechanisms. This segmentation allows adaptation to different patient anatomies and clinical scenarios while maintaining reliable emboli prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter transitions from a compressed delivery state to an expanded functional state within the body. This dynamic transformation allows the same device to suit different patient anatomies and enables retrieval if needed, increasing versatility while maintaining reliable protection against pulmonary emboli.
3Reliability
If filter apertures are made smaller to capture smaller particulates, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but blood flow obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs varying aperture sizes at different locations along its length. The proximal portion has smaller apertures for capturing smaller particulates, while the distal portion has larger apertures to maintain blood flow. This local differentiation allows the filter to achieve high filtering effectiveness without causing significant blood flow obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than making all apertures uniformly small, the filter uses a distribution of aperture sizes with some smaller apertures strategically placed to capture smaller particulates while larger apertures maintain overall blood flow. This partial application of small aperture filtering achieves effective filtration without excessive flow resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
An implantable lumen filter (200) is described. The implantable lumen filter includes a body (202) having a proximal end (202a), a distal end (202b), and a generally tapered outer surface (204). The outer surface is formed by a plurality of struts (206a, 206b). The plurality of struts forms a plurality of apertures (210). The apertures are dimensioned to inhibit and/or to lyse particulates of a selected size from passing through the apertures. The body (202) is transitionable from a collapsed state toward a deployed state. The implantable lumen filter includes an engaging portion (220) having a proximal end (220a) and a distal end (220b). The proximal end of the engaging portion is connected to a distal end of the body. The engaging portion has a generally annular shape and is configured to engage an inner surface of a body lumen.