Magnetic Aneurysm Filling Element for Tortuous Vessel Navigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vascular treatment devices face challenges in navigation through tortuous arteries, are not easily guidable, and often result in increased treatment time and risk of tissue damage due to complex architectures and difficult aneurysm occlusion.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a filling element, magnetic element, and release mechanism, guided by a controlling line, allows for controllable navigation and activation at the treatment site, enabling safe and reliable treatment of aneurysms with minimal tissue damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex architectures are used to achieve sufficient aneurysm occlusion, then treatment efficacy is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaneurysm occlusion efficacyVSAvoiddevice architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional components: a magnetic element for navigation, a filling element for occlusion, and a release mechanism for deployment. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall system architecture and improving guidability through tortuous arteries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A magnetic element acts as an intermediary between the external magnetic actuator and the filling element. This intermediary enables remote control and precise navigation of the filling element to the aneurysm site through tortuous arteries, improving both guidability and treatment efficacy without increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complex architectures are used to achieve sufficient aneurysm occlusion, then treatment efficacy is improved, but treatment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaneurysm occlusion efficacyVSAvoidtreatment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device is pre-loaded and prepared for deployment before reaching the treatment site. The filling element is positioned and ready for release, allowing for rapid deployment upon arrival at the aneurysm, thereby reducing overall treatment time while maintaining occlusion efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex mechanical navigation and deployment mechanisms are replaced with a magnetic guidance system. The magnetic element responds to external magnetic fields for navigation, and the release mechanism uses magnetic actuation for deployment, simplifying the mechanical architecture and reducing treatment time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If navigation through tortuous arteries is attempted, then access to aneurysm is achieved, but risk of tissue damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidability in tortuous arteriesVSAvoidrisk of artery damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical pushing and steering mechanisms that cause friction and damage to artery walls are replaced with a magnetic guidance system. The magnetic element responds to external magnetic fields for navigation through tortuous arteries, eliminating mechanical contact and friction, thereby improving guidability while minimizing tissue damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If simple device architecture is used, then ease of operation and reliability are improved, but ability to achieve sufficient aneurysm occlusion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveguidability and safetyVSAvoidaneurysm occlusion efficacy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic element serves as an intermediary that enables remote control and precise positioning of the filling element. This intermediary approach allows for simple, safe navigation and deployment while maintaining the ability to achieve sufficient aneurysm occlusion through precise positioning and controlled release of the filling element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The device facilitates precise delivery and activation of thrombogenic elements to treat aneurysms, reducing the risk of tissue damage and improving treatment efficacy by allowing for controlled occlusion and navigation through complex vascular structures.

Implementation Method 1

The magnetic element is adapted to be guided by an external actuator. Guiding of the magnetic element enables guiding of at least the filling element along a vessel path.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field guidance: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

The filling element is adapted to reduce the volume of a vessel position in which it is placed for treatment, either by taking up volume or by forming a thrombus.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThrombus formation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentEP4452096B1Device and system for treatment of a vessel
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 ARTEDRONE
  • EP4452096B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1i
  • EP4452096B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~4e
  • EP4452096B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6c

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for treatment of a vessel (V) in a patient comprising a filling element (5,7,10,13,14,15,29), a magnetic element (4), a controlling line (2), a release mechanism (3). The release mechanism (3) is adapted to release the magnetic element (4) and/or the filling element (5,7,10,13,14,15,29) such as to be separated from the controlling line (2). The magnetic element (4) is adapted to be guided by an external actuator (M) such as to guide at least the filling element (5,7,10,13,14,15,29) along a vessel path (V). The filling element (5,7,10,13,14,15,29) is adapted to, when placed in the vessel (V) to be treated, reduce the volume of said vessel portion (V). The controlling line (2) is adapted to position the device by being loosened or pulled.