Magnetic Stent Coating for Occlusion Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stents in body lumens are prone to occlusion due to factors like inadequate stricture resolution, irregular bile properties, coating tackiness, and interaction between the stent wire and bile, leading to increased procedural costs and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A stent design featuring an elongated tubular member with a coating that includes magnetic components, allowing for radial movement in response to an applied magnetic field, which helps prevent occlusion by promoting the movement of bile and debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stent is placed in a body lumen to provide support and maintain the lumen open, then the lumen patency is improved, but the stent becomes prone to occlusion over time due to coating tackiness and interaction between the wire and bile
Solution Approach 1:
The stent incorporates magnetic components that enable dynamic movement in response to an applied magnetic field. The coating and magnetic components can move radially inward and outward, transforming the static stent structure into a dynamic system that actively prevents occlusion by disrupting bile stagnation and reducing coating tackiness effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and position of the coating and magnetic components through magnetic field application. By controlling the radial movement of these components, the system modifies the interaction between the stent and bile, reducing harmful factors that lead to occlusion while maintaining lumen patency.
2Strength
If the stent wire and coating are made to provide structural support, then the stent strength is improved, but the coating tackiness and wire-bile interaction increase occlusion risk
Solution Approach 1:
The stent is divided into distinct functional segments: the structural wire framework that provides strength and support, and the separate coating layer with magnetic components that addresses occlusion prevention. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic components act as an intermediary mechanism between the structural wire and the bile. By introducing magnetic elements that can move in response to external magnetic fields, the system creates a protective effect that reduces direct harmful interactions between the wire/coating and bile, thereby preventing occlusion while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If repeated interventions are performed to address occlusion, then the stent efficacy is maintained, but the procedural costs and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stent incorporates a preventive mechanism through movable magnetic components and coating that actively work to prevent occlusion before it occurs. By continuously disrupting bile stagnation and reducing coating tackiness through magnetic field application, the system performs preliminary protective action, eliminating the need for repeated interventions to address occlusion.
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 stent design effectively delays occlusive events by maintaining lumen patency through the magnetic-induced movement of bile and debris, reducing the need for repeated interventions and enhancing stent efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
one or more magnetic components disposed on or within the coating... in response to an applied magnetic field, the one or more magnetic components may be configured to move radially inward and/or radially outward
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative stent includes an elongated tubular member comprising at least one strut forming a tubular wall having a plurality of cells extending through a thickness of the tubular wall. The elongated tubular member may be configured to move between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. A coating may be disposed on the elongated tubular member and spanning at least some of the plurality of cells. One or more magnetic components may be disposed on or within the coating.